Surname Kleinke - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinke: What does the surname Kleinke mean?
The last name Kleinke is of German origin, derived from the German word “Kleine” meaning “small.” As such, the surname originally referred to someone of small stature or someone who was known as being diminutive in size.
Most often, the surname Kleinke was used to identify a person of low social status. It was often given to those without wealth or power, most of whom were farmers or members of the lower class.
The Kleinke family first began in medieval times as a small but prominent group of people in Bavaria, Germany, near the Rhine River. They were known for their dedication to family and strong sense of loyalty to each other. Over the centuries, the family evolved and slowly spread to other parts of Germany, slowly becoming a larger family and establishing a presence in the region.
In the modern day, the Kleinke surname is still found in many parts of the world, particularly in Germany and in areas of Eastern Europe. It is still a common surname, often carried with pride by people of Germanic descent. Those with the last name Kleineke are often seen as responsible, hardworking and determined individuals who value family and loyalty above all else.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinke: Where does the name Kleinke come from?
The last name Kleinke is most commonly found today in Germany and other German-speaking countries. This is likely due to its origins as a German last name. Kleinke is a surname that derives from a nickname for a “small one.” The German language has a strong influence on the spelling of this surname. It can also be found as Kleinko or Kleinkoe in some countries.
In Germany alone, more than 8,500 people have the surname Kleinke. In Austria approximately 1,500 people are called Kleinke. There is also a very small presence in Switzerland, with around 91 people. Outside of Germany, the surname can be found in countries across Europe, including France, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, and Norway. Kleinke can also be found in the United States, where more than 600 people carry the surname.
The surname Kleinke does not seem to be particularly common in any other country outside of Germanic areas, likely because of its German etymology. The popularity of the name in German-speaking countries is likely due to immigration and the increased use of German-language surnames. The surname is certainly not as popular as other German surnames such as Schmidt or Müller, but it is still a recognizable name that can be found throughout German-speaking areas of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kleinke
Kleinke is an old German-language surname, and its variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin cover a variety of phonetic versions. The most common variants of Kleinke are Kleinkh, Kleinkhe, Kleinken, and Kleinkhö, all of which share the same root word.
The most common German spellings of Kleinke are Kleinkes and Kleinkens (with the "s" at the end), while the most common variations with the "e" at the end are Kleinken and Kleinkhe. The surname Kleinke also has several variant spellings, which include Kleink, Kleinkeh, and Kleinkem. Less common variations of the surname include Kleinkhö, Kleinkhören, and Kleinkuh.
The surnames of the same origin that are derived from the surname Kleinke include the shortened version Klings, the Swiss-German variation Glinkle, and the English form Clinks.
Kleinkke is also an Old Dutch form of the surname, and its variant spellings are Clincke, Clinks, and Clinkske. Other Dutch variants include Kleemkö, Kleemkes, and Kleemker.
Finally, there are several modernized versions of Kleinke that include Kleinko, Kleinkö, Kleinkoe, Kleinkoen, and Kleinkohe.
Thus, a variety of phonetic, spelling, and surname options exist for those tracing their Germanic heritage back to the surname Kleinke.
Famous people with the name Kleinke
- Randy Kleinke: a visual effects artist who has won an Academy Award.
- Ryan Kleinke: a professional wrestler known for his appearances with the NWA and CZW.
- Sean Kleinke: a competitive swimmer who represented Canada in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Robert Kleinke: a voice actor and musician, best known for voicing multiple characters in the animated series Futurama.
- Leach Kleinke: a British television producer who created the show What the Dickens?
- Richard Kleinke: a professor of international law, author of "International Law: Selected Documents and Cases"
- Paul Kleinke: a Canadian particle physicist who was the first to discover chargeless particles in 1975.
- Joy Kleinke: a British actress known for her roles in the miniseries Elizabeth R and The Box of Delights.
- Jack Kleinke: an American Artist who painted the beloved murals of the Detroit bus station.
- Sarah Kleinke: a former White House press secretary, most notably for President Barack Obama.