Surname Klinkert - Meaning and Origin
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Klinkert: What does the surname Klinkert mean?
The last name Klinkert is a German-origin surname derived from the name Klinker, which is an Old German name derived from the words “kleiner” or “klein” meaning “small” or “little”. This last name likely originated from a nickname for a small or short person. It is also possible that it was an occupational name, given to someone who made clay tiles or bricks for construction, as the German word "Klinker" means “kiln,” referring to a type of brick oven used to make these items.
The Klinkert surname first appears in Germany in the 15th century, with the earliest recorded bearer being Hans Klinkert in the town of Harpendorf in Lower Saxony, 1425. By the 16th century, namesakes had spread to other parts of Germany, most notably Saxony. The Klinkert name has spread worldwide, appearing in France, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
In the United States, the earliest recorded Klinkert was John Klinkert, who had immigrated from Germany in 1790 and eventually settled in Pennsylvania. Today, the Klinkert surname remains most prominent in the United States, outnumbering all other countries with many sitting and past members in both government and military.
Overall, the Klinkert name carries a rich history of strength and resilience, representing an enduring family lineage of proud individuals across generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKlinkert: Where does the name Klinkert come from?
The last name Klinkert is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. The name has also spread to other countries with Germanic populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of South America.
According to historical records, the Klinkert name originated in Germany and is a derivative of the German word “klingen,” which means “to chime or ring.” The name likely originated as a reference to a bell maker or metalworker.
Klinkerts today are usually descended from early German settlers who pushed outward from their native home. Dutch settlers also brought the name with them as they traveled and settled in different parts of the world.
Today, the Klinkert name is most common in the Germany states of Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Northwestern Germany, the Netherlands, and the Belgian provinces of Zeeland and Limbourg are also popular regions for Klinkerts.
In the United States, the Klinkert name is most predominantly found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, states strongly associated with large groups of German immigrants.
By tracing the Klinkert family line, it’s clear that the surname has a long history of travel, adaptation, and growth. Through the melting pot of cultures, the legacy of the Klinkert surname carries on to this day.
Variations of the surname Klinkert
The surname Klinkert has various variants, spellings, and surnames, likely deriving from a single origin. Variants of this surname include Klinker, Klinkhardt, Klinkhard, Klinkhamer, Klincke, Klinker, Klinckemeyer, Klinkenberg, Klinkmann, Klinkerhoff, Klinkmann, Klinker, and Klinkertz. Different branches of the same family tree are also likely to have spelled the surname differently in various countries and periods of history.
In the German-speaking countries of Europe, the surname Klinkert has several variations. Klinker is the most common variant, with Klinkhardt, Klinkhard, and Klinkhamer following, and then there is the variation of Klinkenberger. In the Netherlands and Germany, some people may have adopted an alternate spelling of Klink in place of Klinkert.
In the United States, Americans with the name Klinkert often have ancestral roots in Germany and may also have adopted a spelling of Klink in place of Klinkert. Klincke, Klinker, Klinckemeyer, and Klinkerhoff are among the versions found in the United States.
In England, Klinkmann and Klinker are also variations. And in France, families there are likely to have the surname spelled Klinkertz.
All of these spellings and variants almost certainly trace back to a single origin, but it's impossible to know with 100-percent certainty without knowing the individual family's history.
Famous people with the name Klinkert
- Klaas Klinkert: Dutch sprint canoer, Olympic gold medalist in canoe sprint (2008 Beijing Olympics).
- Joke Klinkert: Dutch singer and dancer.
- Ad Klinkert: Dutch sculptor and painter.
- Jacob Klinkert: Dutch politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the European People’s Party.
- Kayleigh Klinkert: Canadian figure skater.
- Andries Klinkert: Dutch professional football player.
- Aart Klinkert: Dutch clockmaker and founder of the Klinkert clock company.
- Hans Klinkert: Dutch professional water polo player.
- Harm Klinkert: Dutch electrical engineer, inventor, and professor.
- Ruud Klinkert: Dutch graphic designer.