Surname Kleine-Beck - Meaning and Origin
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Kleine-Beck: What does the surname Kleine-Beck mean?
The surname Kleine-Beck is of German origin and is likely derived from the Middle High German word ‘becken,’ which means ‘little stream.’ The name is occupational and refers to a family who may have lived near or next to a small stream. It is a compound surname, meaning composed of two parts and is made up of the words ‘Kleine’ (meaning ‘small’) and ‘Beck’ (stream).
The spelling of the name has changed somewhat over the centuries, likely due to shifting language conventions and dialects. In the 1500s, the name was more commonly seen as Kleinebeck, whereas today the spelling is most often Kleine-Beck.
Kleine-Beck is typical of German surnames in that it is a ‘place-name’ – conveying ancestry or a family connection to a particular location.
The surname is quite uncommon today, though it can still be found in some parts of Germany, primarily in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, but also as far south as Bavaria.
It is also common among individuals of German ancestry in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Given its meaning, it is no surprise that the Kleine-Beck surname is often associated with those working in the water supply business.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Beck: Where does the name Kleine-Beck come from?
The surname Kleine-Beck is most common today in Germany, where it is ranked 42,027th in the country’s most popular surnames. The name is a compound surname, made up of two traditional German surnames: Kleine, an occupational name for a small-scale operator of a trade such as a tailor or shoemaker, and Beck, referring to someone who lived near a brook or stream.
It is believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages and, over the centuries, the name has spread both within and beyond the German borders. Records of the name date back as early as the early 17th century, and it is now seen in many countries around the world. This includes most of mainland Europe, as well as countries which have been home to German immigrants, such as the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia.
The Kleine-Beck name is associated with the prominent German families of the same name, who have many branches in the region and are known for their generous charitable work. Today, the Kleine-Beck family is spread across Europe and consists of prominent members in academia, business and politics.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Beck
The surname Kleine-Beck is a surname of German origin. It can also be spelled Kleinebeck, Kleinbeck, and Kleine Beck. The spelling of the surname could also slightly vary depending on the region. In some regions, the pseuodonym 'Kleine-Beck' may be replaced with 'Klein-Beck'.
In addition to the spelling variants of the name, there are also several surnames of similar origins such as Klemeck, Kleinemeck, Klimek, Kleemann, Kleen, Kleiber, Klemm, Kleeml, Klimm, and Klimme. All of these surnames could be derived from the German word Kleinebeck, which translates to small stream or brook. However, the meaning behind the surname could have been altered over the years, and may have changed to mean entirely different things.
The surname Kleine-Beck may also have been adopted as a surname by immigrants from Germany who had an ancestor that had the surname Kleine-Beck. This could mean that the surname may be found not only in Germany but also in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and other locations with a large German immigrant population.
It is important to note that the spelling of the surname can be variable depending on the region, and that there are several surnames of similar origin that may have been derived from the German word Kleinebeck. It is also important to note that the meaning behind the surname may have changed over the years. Lastly, the surname could be found in multiple countries due to immigration and adoption of the name.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Beck
- Alexandra Kleine-Beck, German model and television presenter
- Malte Kleine-Beck, German soccer player
- Morten Kleine-Beck, Danish swimmer
- Sina-Marie Kleine-Beck, German actress
- Lena Kleine-Beck, German athlete
- Louis Kleine-Beck, German author
- Andrea Kleine-Beck, German television actress
- Sven Kleine-Beck, German manager and entrepreneur
- Gerd Kleine-Beck, German politician
- Emma Kleine-Beck, German showjump rider
- Elias Kleine-Beck, German entrepreneur and tv personality
- David Kleine-Beck, German actor
- Toni Kleine-Beck, German singer and songwriter
- Jana Kleine-Beck, German athlete
- Henning Kleine-Beck, German professional football player