Surname Kleinekathöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinekathöfer: What does the surname Kleinekathöfer mean?
The German surname Kleinekathöfer is derived from a toponymic name of German origin and represents an area of habitation. The suffix "-kathöfer" signifies a "small heath" or clearing in the forest, implying that the original bearer of the name lived in or near such a region. Kleinekathöfer typically refers to a small hamlet, villa or settlement that was located on the heath.
The prefix "Kleine" has two possible meanings. The first is that the area of habitation was of a small size, or that the hamlet was "lesser" in relation to some other or greater heath. The second is that the original bearer of the name was of small stature or presence, such as being younger than the other inhabitants.
People with this surname can be found mainly in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, as well as in the Netherlands. In 2011, 1567 people were found to be using the Kleinekathöfer surname in Germany. This surname is relatively rare, being used by around 0.02% of the population of Germany.
Thus, the last name Kleinekathöfer implies a place of origin, giving an insight into the geographical history of the family who bears this name. It has been shared by many people across Germany and the Netherlands, and its usage is a reminder of the ancestral home from which these families originated.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinekathöfer: Where does the name Kleinekathöfer come from?
The last name Kleinekathöfer is a surname of Germanic origin, more specifically from a region of central Germany including Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Thuringia. The name can be found today in parts of the Rhineland-Palatinate region in the towns of Kastellaun, Birx, and Egelner Mulde. It can also be found in some western parts of Saxony-Anhalt and Baden-Württemberg.
In the early 20th century, some people bearing this last name emigrated to other parts of Germany, and later on, some to Canada, the United States, and parts of South America. With regards to the Canadian population, the name is found mainly in Ontario and in parts of Quebec as a result of German immigration that occurred during the mid-1800s. In the United States, it is most common in states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Minnesota, each of which have rich German genealogical records reflecting the migratory history of the origin of many of these immigrants.
The surname Kleinekathöfer is also found in parts of South America such as Uruguay and Argentina, where persons bearing the name are said to have arrived from Germany and from the neighboring country of Brazil.
The main concentration of the name today appears to be located in Germany, but diminished greatly due to emigration in the 19th and 20th century. It remains somewhat prominent in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and some southern states in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kleinekathöfer
Kleinekathöfer is a German surname derived from the German word klein meaning 'small' and kathöfer meaning 'goat shepherd.' The exact origins are unknown and there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the surname Kleinekathöfer is Kleinkathöfer. It is believed that ‘Kleine’ has been replaced with ‘Kleink’ to prevent people from being confused with the name. The surname may also be spelled Kleinekathofer, Kleinkathofer, Kleine Köthofer, Kleink Köthofer, Klein Köthofer and Kleinekatthöfer.
The surname Kleinkathöfer may also be seen in surnames of similar origin that include Klaas Köthofer, Kollath Köthofer, K Prototype, Köthofer, Köthoff and Coathoff. It is possible that people with these family names have a common ancestor and that they have changed the family name over time.
Other surnames derived from the word ‘Klein’ include Klein, Kleindienst, Kleiner, Kleist, Klemm, Kley, Kleynie and Klips. All of these surnames have similar meaning of 'small', but are used and interpreted differently. Additionally, surnames with similar meaning to ‘Kathöfer’ include Göth, Göthe, Latz, Leitermann, Lehmann, Lüpke, Spiegelmann, Sprengel, Thöle, Theilmann and Voy.
In conclusion, there are a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kleinekathöfer. It is possible that people with this surname are related and have changed their family name over time. As such, it is important to research an individual’s family history to find out the exact origin and meaning of the surname.
Famous people with the name Kleinekathöfer
- Janin Kleinekathöfer: German actress who has appeared in television series like In aller Freundschaft and Nachtschwestern.
- Harald Kleinekathöfer: German actor who appeared in the 1995 film Kleine Haie.
- Uwe Kleinekathöfer: a German composer from Afterglow Emotions who has composed music for various Hollywood productions.
- Dirk Kleinekathöfer: a screenwriter and director. He has written films such as The Second Hell and Kirkwall’s Shadow.
- Jan-Michael Kleinekathöfer: Former Flying Tiger from the US Air Force, who was a test pilot and accident investigator.
- Christian Kleinekathöfer: a German entrepreneur who is the CEO of Tree Family, a sustainability and forestry company.
- Ursula Kleinekathöfer: a German novelist, who has written books like Ringels Fasnet and Aber Sonntags.
- Bruno Kleinekathöfer: a German actor who’s had roles in television series like Tatort and Der Alte.
- Ulrike Kleinekathöfer: a contemporary artist from Germany who works in a variety of media such as sculpture, installation, drawing and photography.
- Stefan Kleinekathöfer: a German-born soccer player who plays for Energie Cottbus.
- Christiaan Kleinekathöfer: a Dutch journalist and game designer who focuses on exploring the philosophy of game design.
- Konrad Kleinekathöfer: a professor of musicology from the University of Mainz, Germany.
- Holger Kleinekathöfer: a German actor known for his appearance in films like Der unbekannte neue Freund and Schwarz Rot Gold.