Surname Kleiman - Meaning and Origin

Kleiman: What does the surname Kleiman mean?

The last name Kleiman is German in origin and is derived from the Germanic personal name Klein which means “small”. The name first appeared in records in the 14th century, via the Dutch, which suggests the Kleimans originated in the Netherlands, and then spread to Germany, where the spelling was changed to Kleiman. The Kleimans may have been among the German immigrants who established communities in America before the Revolutionary War.

The use of Kleiman as a last name today generally denotes a person of Dutch or German ancestry. In some cases, it may be linked to members of the Jewish diaspora, as many Jews adopted the name as part of their effort to blend in with the general populace.

In modern times, the name Kleiman is still in use in many western countries, and still denotes a person who is of German or Dutch heritage. Families with the last name may take pride in their heritage and the centuries of history associated with the spelling of the name.

As German in origin, the Kleiman name often meant “a small but mighty man”, demonstrating strength and endurance even in the face of adversity. This may have been an appropriate and encouraging moniker for generations of Kleimans, empowering them to take courage and persevere despite any hardships they encountered.

Kleiman: Where does the name Kleiman come from?

Today, the last name Kleiman can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, the Kleiman surname is most commonly found in the northeast, especially in Pennsylvania and New York. It's also prevalent in the Midwest, especially in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Other US states with significant populations include Nebraska, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, and Arizona.

In Europe, the name is especially common in Germany, where it’s estimated that up to 8,000 people bear the surname. Beyond Germany, smaller populations can be found in Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, and Switzerland.

The Kleiman name is also prevalent in Israel, where it is the same as the first name Cohen. In the Middle East, the Kleiman last name is most common in Iraq and Iran.

Finally, the name is prevalent in Latin America, especially in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. In Mexico, the name Kleiman is often a shortened version of the Spanish name Nieves-Lemus.

Overall, the surname Kleiman is dispersed around the world, though its most concentrated populations can be found in the United States, Germany, Israel, Iraq, and Latin America.

Variations of the surname Kleiman

The surname Kleiman has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Kleyman or Klieman, which is of European origin. It is a variation of the surname Kleiman, which is often found in the United States, Germany, and Israel. Other variations include Kleymann, Kleinmann, Kleinman, Kliemann, Kleimann, and Klyman.

The name Kleiman is said to be derived from the German word 'kleim' which means 'clay' or 'clayey soil'. It is believed to be a topographic or location-based surname which describes someone living near a clayey area, such as an area with much clay soil, a clay field, or a clay quarry.

The surname Kleyman is found mainly in the United States, where it can be traced back to Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Kleyman is also an alternate spelling of the surname ‘Kleinman', which is of European origin and has Jewish roots.

Kleinman is a variation of the German 'Kleiman', which means 'little man'. It is derived from a diminutive of the given name 'Klein', which translates to 'small' or 'tiny'.

Klieman is also a variation of the surname Kleiman, which means 'clay'. It is a location-based surname which originates from an area with a lot of clay soil. This surname is mostly found in Germany, where it was adopted by German-speaking Jewish immigrants.

Many of these surnames are common variations of the same origin. They could have begun with a slightly different spelling and then evolved to their current forms. Regardless of their spelling, these surnames all have the same historical roots and meanings.

Famous people with the name Kleiman

• Mark Kleiman: Mark Kleiman is an American public policy analyst and professor of public policy at UCLA Luskin. He was a founding director of the Crime and Justice Program at the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit research organization, the Urban Institute. In recent years, he has done extensive research into the potential benefits and unintended consequences of marijuana legalization in the United States.
• Howard Kleiman: Howard Kleiman is an American investor and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Kleiman International Consultants Group, an innovative firm that specializes in professional networking and business development. He is also the founder and CEO of Naiya.ai, a cutting-edge software analytics and business intelligence platform that helps businesses boost efficiency and effectiveness.
• Kurt Kleiman: Kurt Kleiman is an American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles in the films Chasing Amy, Coyote Ugly, The Forsaken, and all three Austin Powers movies. He’s also appeared on television shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger and That 70’s Show. He’s also an accomplished screenwriter, having written the web series Miss Behave and the feature film, Romanticide.
• Stephen Kleiman: Stephen Kleiman is an American mathematician who has made contributions to the field of algebraic topology. He is currently Professor Emeritus in the Mathematics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Harry Kleiman: Harry Kleiman was an American engineer and inventor. He was best known for inventing the Kleiman-Kelley air-cooled engine, which was widely used in aircraft during World War I and World War II. He also designed many of the early fighter planes of the era, including the Fokker D.VII and the Sikorsky Ilya Muromets.
• Linda Kleiman: Linda Kleiman is an American lawyer and businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of The Kleiman Law Group, a law firm specialising in corporate and business law. She has represented a wide range of private and public clients, including financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs and start-ups. Linda is an award-winning legal executive and the author of the book, “The Art of Negotiation.”
• Julie Kleiman: Julie Kleiman is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist and business strategy expert. She is the founder and CEO of Gather Round, a marketing agency that helps companies connect with their target audiences. She is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, and The New York Times.

Other surnames

KleimaierKleimannKleimayerKleimeierKleimeyer