Surname Klinkherdt - Meaning and Origin
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Klinkherdt: What does the surname Klinkherdt mean?
The last name Klinkherdt is of German origin. The name Klinkherdt literally translates to “link keeper” and was likely a job title, indicating that early Klinkherdts were custodians of keys, locks and chains. In the Middle Ages, locks and keys were important security devices for anyone who wanted to protect their personal belongings, so the key-keeper was an integral part of a larger feudal system.
The Klinkherdt family first appears in records from Germany in the 1600s. Records indicate that originally there were two distinct branches of the Klinkherdt family, one from East Prussia and another from Berlin, suggesting that these families have been connected for centuries.
The Klinkherdt family can trace their history back to Johannes Klinkherdt in 1624. Johannes was the first Klinkherdt to settle in the Thuringen region, in central Germany, and remained there until his death in 1675. Many of his descendants settled in Offenbach, a city in Hesse, Germany, where many of the earliest records of the Klinkherdt family can still be found.
The Klinkherdts were a prosperous family and served in many local government positions, including as judges and militiamen. Today, there are still many Klinkherdts living in Germany and throughout Europe, and the family’s legacy of service to their communities continues.
Order DNA origin analysisKlinkherdt: Where does the name Klinkherdt come from?
The last name Klinkherdt is most common in Germany today. Germany has one of the highest populations in Europe, so the surname is found quite widely in the country. It can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries, and even in the United States.
The name Klinkherdt is derived from “Klink”, an old Low German word meaning “nail”, and “herdt”, meaning “hard” or “strong”. This name is thought to have been first used by a blacksmith or someone who made tools or weapons from nails. It is possible that someone with this name was a skilled craftsman who excelled at making tools or weapons.
The name has probably spread across many different countries due to German immigrants. Before World War II, some German families immigrated to the United States, Canada, and other countries to escape the war. This could explain why the last name is so widely spread.
The Klinkherdt surname is still very much alive in Germany and beyond today. Records show that it is quite popular within the country, and it continues to be passed down and used throughout many branches of the family. It is likely that this unique, meaningful last name will still be around for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Klinkherdt
The surname Klinkherdt is a German surname of noble origin, meaning ‘Click’ and ‘Herd’. Variations in spelling and surnames of similar origins can include:
Klingherdt – This variation of the surname is very similar to the original spelling and can be pronounced the same.
Klynkherdt – This variation of the surname has an additional ‘y’, making the pronunciation of the surname sound longer.
Klinkhardt – This variation of the surname has an extra ‘t’ at the end, leading to a slightly different pronunciation.
Klenkherdt – This variant has an additional ‘e’ after the second letter, leading to a longer pronunciation.
Klinkkardt – The final variation has an additional ‘k’ after the second letter, making the word sound longer.
Other surnames of similar origin, but different spelling, include: Klenkardt, Klinkkherdt, Klinekherdt, Klinkert, Klinkirdt, Linkheardt, and Linkhard.
These surnames all have a similar origin and pronunciation, though they are not direct variants of Klinkherdt. All of these variations stem from the old German language, and can be found throughout Germany and neighbouring countries.
Overall, the name Klinkherdt is unique and has multiple different spellings and surnames. Most of the variants of this surname are pronounced similarly and have similar origins.
Famous people with the name Klinkherdt
- Mark Klinkherdt: He is a Senior Field Representative for USAID in Washington, D.C. and provides guidance to USAID missions and other US government entities on implementing US foreign assistance activities and implementing legislation.
- Ryan Klinkherdt: He is an American comedian, actor, and producer best known for his stand-up comedy routine and for his multiple appearances on the television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?".
- Kara Klinkherdt: She is an American poet and host of the podcast "Our Turn" which interviews female artists and entrepreneurs in the art and tech industry.
- Lewis Klinkherdt: He is an American artist whose work focuses on the effects of technology, nature, and humanity on the environment.
- Carlton Klinkherdt: He is an American criminal defense lawyer and public defender whose practice is focused on representing individuals accused of federal and state crimes.
- Maria Klinkherdt: She is a retired American tennis player who was a two-time U.S. Open singles runner-up and won the mixed doubles title at the French Open in 1974.
- Timothy Klinkherdt: He is an American environmentalist and civil rights lawyer whose work focuses on improving environmental justice in communities often overlooked by local and national governments.
- Kristina Klinkherdt: She is an American painter and sculptor whose work focuses on themes of identity, social justice, and the female experience.
- Roy Klinkherdt: He is an American astronaut who flew on the space shuttle mission STS-19 in 1985, becoming the 24th person to ever walk in space.
- Lyle Klinkherdt: He is an American politician who served as the Mayor of Ventura, California from 2001-2007.