Surname Kleinemeier - Meaning and Origin

Kleinemeier: What does the surname Kleinemeier mean?

The last name Kleinemeier is of Westphalian German origin, and is a variant of the surname Kleinemeyer. It is derived from the German words 'klein' meaning ‘small’ or ‘little’ and 'meyer' meaning ‘inhabitant’ or ‘farmer’. It likely referred to someone who owned or managed a small farm.

For centuries, the name was common in small numbers throughout Westphalia, an area of Germany mainly located in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Over time it spread to other regions of Germany and beyond.

The Kleinemeier name is shared by a number of prominent people, including August Kleinemeier, a German military officer and World War I veteran who was awarded the Iron Cross. He later became a highly successful aircraft designer and engineer.

The Kleinemeier surname is an interesting and unique part of German heritage. It is sometimes found in combination with other German surnames, such as Kleinemeier-Berger, which is a variation based on the occupation of a farmer. Today, it is still most commonly found in Germany, but there are people around the world with this surname, indicating its continuing migration.

Kleinemeier: Where does the name Kleinemeier come from?

The last name Kleinemeier is a German-origin surname that is still very common in Germany today. It is derived from the German word “klein” which means “small” and “meier” which means “Mayor”.

As of the 2020 census, local records show that there are over 32,000 people with the Kleinemeier surname living in Germany. The majority of them live in the country’s larger cities, like Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, and Hamburg.

In the USA, the Kleinemeier surname is a lot less common. According to the US census of 2020, it is estimated that there are only 500 people living with the Kleinemeier surname in the United States. The last name can be found in most states but it is concentrated in the states of California, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

In addition to Germany and the US, people with the Kleinemeier surname can be found in other countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, it is much less common outside of Germany.

Overall, the last name Kleinemeier is most common in Germany and still has a healthy presence in other countries, including the United States.

Variations of the surname Kleinemeier

Kleinemeier is a German surname originating in northern Germany. It can be spelled in many variations including Kleimemeier, Kleinmeier, Kleemeier, Klemmemeier, Kleemeier, Klemeier, Klimmeier, Klimmeier and Kleimeier.

One variant of the surname, Kleimemeier, is derived from the old German word kleinemeyer meaning “small meadow” or “little meadow”. This is an allegorical reference to someone who lives in a rural, agricultural area. Any of the spellings and surname variants can be traced to Germany's Teutonic and Rhineland regions.

The other variant of the surname, Kleemeier, is derived from the German words 'Kleem' and 'Meyer', with the former meaning 'tiny' or 'very small', and the latter meaning 'farmer'. This variant is believed to refer to someone who is a small farmer or has a small homestead.

The other variants of the surname include Klemeier, which is believed to derive from the old German words 'Klenen' and 'meer', meaning 'small moor' or 'little moor', and Klimmeier, which is derived from the old German words 'Kleim' and 'Meyer', meaning 'peacemaker' or 'neutralizer'.

The surname has also undergone further evolution into other variations such as Klimmeier, Kleimmeier and Kleemmeier. These variations are found in parts of Germany and many other countries across Europe, including France, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland.

Overall, the variations and spellings of the Kleinemeier surname all have German roots and have likely developed due to geographic and linguistic changes over the years.

Famous people with the name Kleinemeier

• Aliya Kleinemeier — artist, based in forward-thinking town Berlin, Germany.
• Martin Kleinemeier — German biograph.
• Julien Kleinemeier — French musician, leading member of the band Le Grand Bleu.
• Danilo Kleinemeier — Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Hertha BSC.
• Arno Kleinemeier — German-based abstract artist who uses his art to explore personal relationships and the world at large.
• Stefan Kleinemeier — German photographer who has been published in many magazines, as well as his own books.
• Eric Kleinemeier — American physician and researcher, focusing on the neurological sciences and muscle diseases.
• Katja Kleinemeier — German documentary filmmaker known for her insightful, creative documentaries.
• Tabea Kleinemeier — German fashion designer, specializing in modern urban wear.
• Ruth Kleinemeier — Austrian historian of the modern period and author of books on the art and culture of Spain and Portugal.

Other surnames

Kleinemeyer