Surname Klimt - Meaning and Origin
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Klimt: What does the surname Klimt mean?
Klimt is a German-language surname derived from a variation of the word "Kleimt", which means sudden strike. It is believed that the surname has its origins in a person who was known for unexpectedly or quickly attacking his opponents with a weapon, usually in the form of a scythe.
Klimt is related to several spelling variations, which include Klemet, Klammt, and Klimth. The surname is often found in regions of Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the Czech Republic, the spelling is often Kliment.
The earliest record of the Klimt surname is from 1553 in Hamburg, Germany, when one Ullrich Klimt was mentioned in records. One of the more famous people with the surname is Austrian painter and creator of the "Golden Phase" of art, Gustav Klimt.
Klimt is not a common surname, but it does have a unique history and significance. It is the name of an influential artist, and has a meaning that could be symbolic of fighting for oneself and one's beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisKlimt: Where does the name Klimt come from?
The last name Klimt is most commonly found throughout Europe, particularly in countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is especially prominent in Austria, where noted symbolist painter Gustav Klimt had his career.
The surname can be tracked through centuries of records, dating back to the fifteenth century in various parts of Europe. Records show the name being used in eastern and central European countries, such as Bohemia, Croatia, and Poland as well as Austria and other German-speaking countries.
In the United States, the last name Klimt also appears in various records, but typically in more isolated areas, that have had significant migration from Germany, Austria, Russia, and Czech Republic. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many immigrants bearing the name Klimt settled in the United States, with most eventually settling on the East Coast and along the Mississippi River in the South.
Today, the surname Klimt is still quite common, particularly in central and eastern Europe. Those within the United States trace their roots back to these distant Stormlander and German ancestors who brought the name to the states. Chances are that even in today's modern world, many people bearing the last name of Klimt are descendants of these same families, still carrying on the tradition today.
Variations of the surname Klimt
The surname Klimt has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variation is Klimt, which is the original while the other is Klint. In some cases, this name may also be seen as Klimpt, Kleimt, Kleint, Kleimdt, Klumt, Kleimdt, Klijmt, Klimd, or Kleim.
The variant spellings are much more diverse. In some cases, the name is seen as Clan, Climt, Climpt, Klemt, Kleymt, Klimath, Klimptz, Kleimd, Klimde, Klombt, Klimptz and Klimtz.
In terms of other surnames of the same origin, the most common is Klint, which is a Danish variant. Other surnames of the same origin include Kleemt, Klein, Klan, Klimek, Klimetz, Klinkowström, Klompmaker, Kloock, Klinger, Klissperg, Kloosterhuis, Kleinow, Klingmann, Klinkerberg, Klammer, Klein-Nicolai, Klase, and Klörevik.
All of these surnames originate from the Late Middle High German Klimmaz, which means “climber” or “climbing”. This may refer to an occupation or lived in a mountainous area. It is also believed to have been derived from the Middle Low German verb “klimmen”, which is an obsolete word meaning “to climb”. This surname is most common in Central, Northern, and Western Europe.
Famous people with the name Klimt
- Gustav Klimt: an Austrian symbolist painter and one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement.
- Gertrude Klimt: art historian and curator, specializing in 19th and 20th-century Austrian art.
- Ferdinand Klimt: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Ferdinand Georg Klimt: Austrian physicist and a professor at the University of Vienna.
- Gustave Klimt: French lawyer and professor, primarily focused on civil and commercial law, as well as Roman law.
- Oskar Klimt: Austrian graphic artist, best known for designing packages for chocolate.
- Adelheid Klimt: Austrian painter and graphic artist, particularly known for her landscapes and still life paintings.
- Erwin Klimt: Austrian ophthalmologist and professor of medical sciences at the University of Vienna.
- Erika Klimt: Austrian ceramic artist and sculptor, primarily known for her figurines of women.
- Erich Klimt: Austrian composer and conductor who was active in Vienna from the 1920s until his death in the 1990s.