Surname Kleinjohann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinjohann: What does the surname Kleinjohann mean?
The last name Kleinjohann is of German origin and means “small John” or “little John”. It is a derivative of Johann, which originated from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious”. Variations of Kleinjohann include Kleinjohn, Klienjohan, Kleinjahn, Kleingjohn, Kleingjahn, Kleinjoahn, Kleinjoan, and Kleingjoan.
The earliest origins of Kleinjohann can be traced back to the 1100s, where Germans of the noble class would take on names that were derivatives of their birth name, such as Kleinjohann. The name spread throughout Germanic speaking countries, eventually to America, with the first members of the family arriving in 1710.
The use of the last name Kleinjohann denotes that the family had a long-standing relationship with fellow Germanic people, such as the Dutch, who also were known to have a variation of the name Kleinjohann. The families could likely find a sense of camaraderie and connection from these similarities.
Most people with the last name Kleinjohann tend to be of German descent, which makes the meaning of the name take on a special significance for many of its holders. The name reminds its holders of their heritage, the deep-rooted connection to their Germanic ancestors, and their familial ties. Thus, the meaning of Kleinjohann is rich and full of meaning for its holders.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinjohann: Where does the name Kleinjohann come from?
The name Kleinjohann is most common today in Germany, as it typically originates from the German language. Specifically, it is of German origin and has its roots in Saxony, although some instances have also been recorded in Romania. The surname "Kleinjohann" is believed to have originally referred to someone who owned a small piece of land, with the literal meaning of the name being "small John."
The prevalence of the Kleinjohann surname can be seen across Germany. In 2017, it was the 611th most common surname in Germany according to the Namensforschung in Wissenschaft und Technik. It is also present in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland. Outside of Germany, the surname is increasingly uncommon but is sometimes found in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Cuba.
The nature of the Kleinjohann surname is quite old. In Germany, it is believed to have been first recorded back in the 16th century. As such, it has seen some interesting spellings over the years, such as Kleinejohann, Kleenjohann, Klejnjohan, Kleinjohan, and Kleinjohannes. As it is believed to have originated from a family name, surnames intensity in areas may have been considered an indicator of regional population density thanks to generations of a family staying close together.
Variations of the surname Kleinjohann
The surname Kleinjohann is of German origin, first appearing in records during the High Middle Ages. Variants of the surname include Kleinjohan, Kleinjohn, Kleinjohnn, Kleijnjohann, Kleijnjohan, Kleijohn, and Kleijohnn.
Tales and records of the surname go as far back as the 12th century, when immigrants with the moniker Kleinjohann arrived in the British Isles. Of those immigrants, the earliest record of someone by the surname Kleinjohann dates back to 1228 when a Mathaeus Kleijohn of Hamels Round, Norfolk, England, is mentioned in records of Religious Houses.
The spelling of the name has changed over time as migration and immigration caused its spread into different areas. In some cases, the name was changed to fit the local language or dialect. This can be seen in countries such as the United States where the name is now spelled Kleinjohn.
Variants of the surname Kleinjohann can be found outside of Germany in countries such as France, Austria, Poland, and Bulgaria, as well as in North and South America, and Australia. Wherever this surname is found, the traditional German spelling is typically maintained while local spelling and dialects bring with them unique changes and variations in spelling of the original name.
Overall, variants of the surname Kleinjohann can all be traced back to the same early Germanic origin, with a shared history of being brought to new regions and kingdoms by immigrants. Variations have occurred over the centuries due to the different languages and dialects that are spoken in the various countries that the name has traveled to, but the original root still remains.
Famous people with the name Kleinjohann
- Aaron Kleinjohann: An American painter and sculptor, Aaron Kleinjohann is known for his mixed media works that incorporate paper, plaster, wood and found objects. He has exhibited work internationally, and is represented by galleries in Los Angeles, Berlin, Munich, Sydney and Dubai.
- Martin Kleinjohann: Martin Kleinjohann is a contemporary German-Canadian artist known for painting large-scale abstract works. He works in both traditional acrylic and digital techniques, blending the two to create sleek and powerful pieces.
- Leslie Kleinjohann: Leslie Kleinjohann is an award-winning photographer from New Jersey known for her documentary and abstract photography. She specializes in capturing landscapes of the world's most breathtaking scenes, often culling inspiration from her travels in India, Japan, Mexico and Bolivia.
- Sabine Kleinjohann: A media artist from Cologne, Germany, Sabine Kleinjohann is mostly known for her interactive installations and new art forms, including installation art, cyberart and virtual works. Her work focuses on how physical and abstract spaces can be combined to create something new.
- Diane Kleinjohann: A leading German photographer and visual artist, Diane Kleinjohann often combines performance, sculpture, video and photography to create her distinct works, which often explore memory and identity. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Europe and U.S.