Surname Kleifeldt - Meaning and Origin

Kleifeldt: What does the surname Kleifeldt mean?

The last name Kleifeldt is of Germanic origin and is derived from one of two possible word elements. The first word element is a combination of 'klei', meaning 'clay' or 'dirt', and 'feld', meaning 'field'. Kleifeldt can then be interpreted as referring to land that was made out of clay. The second word element is 'kleine', meaning 'small', and 'feld', again referring to a field. Kleifeldt can then be interpreted as referring to a small field or bit of land, most likely a smallholding or a homestead.

The surname Kleifeldt likely originated in Germany and was carried to America by a German with the last name, who likely hailed from a family who had lived on a clay field or smallholding for generations. As time passed, the surname may have been adopted by non-Germans who encountered Kleifeldts during their travels. Alternatively, the surname could have spread through immigration and migration of people of Germanic decent.

One thing is certain, the surname Kleifeldt remains connected to Germanic culture and, despite having spread over time and distance, retains its original meaning of a small, clay field or smallholding.

Kleifeldt: Where does the name Kleifeldt come from?

The last name Kleifeldt is a German surname, derived from the old German words “klei” meaning “clay” and “feldt” meaning “field”, suggesting an origin in agriculture. It's a quite rare surname in Germany today, but can be found mostly in the northern parts, especially in the state of Lower Saxony.

The name is, however, much more widespread in the United States. It is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. It is believed to have been brought to America by immigrants in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, although records of these immigrants are scarce. It is likely that some of them migrated to other regions of the country, as the name is also fairly widespread throughout the country.

The majority of individuals with the name still reside in the United States today. It isn't particularly common in larger metropolitan areas, but rather in rural areas and small to mid-size cities. It is not unusual to find entire families with the last name, suggesting that those who immigrated either stayed together, or settled together upon arrival.

Although the surname remains uncommon, individuals with the last name are spread out across the world and are likely descended from those old German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Kleifeldt

The surname Kleifeldt is a German and Dutch surname of occupational origin, derived from the Middle High German 'kleve' meaning 'cliff' or 'rocky area'. Several variants, spellings, and surnames related to Kleifeldt exist, including Clevefield, Klevenfeld, Leahfield, Kleyfeldt, and Klaefelt.

In Germany, Kleifeldt is common in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. This name is also found in the Netherlands, especially in the regions of Overijssel and Gelderland, as well as in other parts of the Netherlands. In the United States, individuals with Kleifeldt ancestry are primarily found in Michigan and Ohio. Additionally, some individuals are descended from individuals who emigrated from Germany and the Netherlands to countries such as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants of Kleifeldt include Klefie, Klevie, Kleefie, Kleefield, Kleevel, and Kleveseld. Other surnames related to Kleifeldt, though not variants but stemming from the same origin, include Klaessfled, Kleigenfeld, Kleinfelt, Kleidonfeld, Kleidonfel, Klevenfels, and Kliebenfeld.

The surnames Kleyfield, Kleyveld, and Kleyvelt were derived from Dutch words such as 'kley', which refers to a soft surface for growing plants. The names Klefel, Kleffel, Kleibel, and Kleppel are derivatives of the Dutch word 'klepel', meaning 'bell' or 'sickle'. Finally, the surname Klessfield descends from the Middle Dutch word 'kles', meaning 'cliff' or 'slope'.

Famous people with the name Kleifeldt

• Frauke Kleifeld, a German actress, theatre director and script writer.
• Winfried Kleifeld, a German sculptor and the president of the Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Germany.
• Heinz Kleifeld, a German actor and former artistic director of the Stuttgarter Schauspielhaus.
• Konrad Kleifeld, a German film editor, known for his work on The White Ribbon (2009) and Downfall (2004).
• Bernhard Kleifeld, a German co-founder of the "Vienna Group" of contemporary artists.
• Horst Kleifeld, a German self-taught artist and noted exponent of Lowbrow art.
• Herbert Kleifeld, Vice President and General Manager of Siemens Building Technologies in Germany from 1975 to 2006.
• Anat Kleifeld, an Israeli artist, who expresses herself mainly through painting.
• Wladimir Kleifeld, a Russian-born German doctor and author of the book ‘Living in Health’.
• Friedrich Kleifeld, a German filmmaker based in Berlin, who has directed commercials for the likes of Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

Other surnames

Kleifeld