Surname Kleve - Meaning and Origin
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Kleve: What does the surname Kleve mean?
Kleve is a German surname of Jewish origin that was likely derived from the Old High German word “klever,” which means “clever” or “intelligent.” It is believed that the name was passed down through the generations to signify an ancestor of great wisdom and perception. During the Middle Ages, the last name Kleve was quite common amongst Jews residing in Germany, Austria, and Prussia, as many Jewish families of the time adopted surnames as part of their adoption of modern German culture.
The name Kleve can also be found amongst non-Jewish Europeans and Americans who have adopted the name. It was also among the last names printed on the infamous lists of Jews published before the Holocaust, denoting families that would be deported and killed.
Today, the name Kleve may have taken on a slightly altered spelling in some countries, such as Klebe or Klev a variant that is mainly found in the United States. The name is still relatively common amongst Jews, and other than its Jewish roots, the name has no particular connotations in the present day. The name Kleve continues to be a symbol of resilience, ambition, and wisdom, having successfully survived the test of time.
Order DNA origin analysisKleve: Where does the name Kleve come from?
Kleve is a surname of German origin. Today, it is most common in Germany and in other parts of central Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also common in some parts of Scandinavia, including Scandinavia-settled regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The ancestor of the Kleve surname is believed to have originated in the historic region of Kleve, which is now in the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. During the Middle Ages, this region was a part of various political entities, such as the Hanseatic League and also it was a county of the Holy Roman Empire.
The earliest known use of the Kleve name was in 1297, when a Wilhelmus de Cleve was mentioned in a deed in Hanover. It is believed that the original residence of the Kleve family was probably in the small village of Beringer, now part of Dorsten, Germany.
According to the 2018 census, there are more than 7,000 people in Germany who have the Kleve surname. Of these, about 70% live in Nordrhein-Westfalen. The cities of Dortmund, Essen, and Neuss all have a significant population of people with the Kleve surname.
Elsewhere in Europe, the name is also common in the Netherlands, where more than 2,000 people share it. The cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague each have more than 250 people with the Kleve surname.
In North America, the Kleve name is especially common in the United States, where more than 1,000 people have it. The US states of California, Massachusetts, and Michigan are home to the most number of people with the Kleve surname. And in Canada, the surname is particularly well-represented in Ontario, with more than 150 people.
Overall, the surname Kleve is still quite common today, even though it is hundreds of years old. Its main areas of concentration remain in Germany and other parts of Europe, although it has also spread to many other areas around the world.
Variations of the surname Kleve
The surname Kleve has a variety of variants, spellings, and related surnames.
The most common variation of the surname is "Klave," which is popularly used in English. In America, the variants Cleve,klêve, and Kleeve are also sometimes seen.
Apart from these, other spellings of the name include Cleef or Kleeef, Kleef, Kleeve, Klev, and Kliev. These variations come from immigrant families who came to America from Germany and other parts of Europe, and are popularly seen in the United States today.
Other surnames of the same origin includeClaaf, Claafe, Claeef,Claefe, Cleëve,Klâev, Klaves, Kleefs, Kleeff, Kleeven, Klief, and Kluwe.
The surname has become prominent in areas of Europe, especially in Germany, where it is believed to be derived from a place name in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. It is also seen in Dutch and Scandinavian countries.
The surname Kleve is a popular surname all around the world, with families bearing the name found in Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also popularly used in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kleve
- Alexander KLEVE: Politician from Germany
- Henrich KLEVE: German explorer and commander of a fleet in the fleet of Karl Ludwig
- Tony KLEVE: Founding member of the Nature Conservancy in the US
- Herman Friedrich KLEVE: German theologian, botanist and pharmacist
- Hans KLEVE: German sculptor
- John KLEVE: Dutch author and nature conservationist
- Andreas KLEVE: German theologian, mathematician and astronomer
- Sophie KLEVE: German actress
- George KLEVE: German Pathologist and zoologist
- Berger KLEVE: Danish historian
- Ernest KLEVE: German musician and composer
- Jacob KLEVE: Dutch philosopher
- Alfred KLEVE: German chemist
- Tore KLEVE: Norwegian scientist and botanical gardener
- Wulf KLEVE: Austrian psychologist
- Ingwer KLEVE: German Olympic athlete
- Adolf KLEVE: German judge and lawyer
- Kristin KLEVE: Norwegian fashion designer
- Kaspar KLEVE: German urban theorist, architect, and landscape architect
- Salome KLEVE: German writer