Surname Kloeker - Meaning and Origin
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Kloeker: What does the surname Kloeker mean?
The last name Kloeker is of German origin and is most commonly found in the US states of Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Germany, the name is spelled differently, usually as Klöker. As an occupational name, Kloeker refers to a cobbler, or a person who mends and repairs shoes and other leather products. The word originates from the Old High German word for "shoe," and the suffix -er indicates an occupation.
Kloekers are believed to be descended from shoe-makers who migrated to America from Germany following the Thirty Years War. Thanks to their expertise in shoemaking and repair, Kloekers quickly established themselves as a revered and respected surname throughout the United States.
Another version of the name is Kloekerz, which is derived from an abolished German nobility, the "Klöker von Magdeburg". This name is typically found in the mid-western US and is primarily associated with Pennsylvania Dutch settlers.
Today, Kloeker is a recognized surname, and there are many individuals with the Kloeker surname living all around the world. The name continues to represent traditional shoemaking and leather-crafting, and continues to stand for the hardworking values that first brought the Kloekers to America.
Order DNA origin analysisKloeker: Where does the name Kloeker come from?
The last name Kloeker is largely a Dutch or German name. It is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States.
In the Netherlands, the name originates from communities in the northern and eastern parts of the country around the towns of Wieringerwerf and Kloetinge. It is most common in the province of Zeeland, where it was likely adopted from Dutch citing Kloeterhof, a former village near Nieuwe Kerk, which is now part of Middelburg.
In Germany, the name is more commonly associated with the village of Kloeker in Baden-Württemberg. The name is also found with roots in the larger region of Swabia, which is known as the Kloekerland.
In the United States, the Kloeker name is also found, but is less common. The majority of those with the last name Kloeker are immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands who made their way here during the 19th century. Other Kloekers, however, are likely to have arrived here during the early 20th century when a number of families fled from Nazi persecution.
Today, the name Kloeker is still most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, but it is also occasionally seen in other parts of the world such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It is likely that the surname Kloeker will continue to endure in the coming years.
Variations of the surname Kloeker
The surname Kloeker is a German surname that originated primarily in Germany and Dutch colonies, and is derived from the German word "Klöcker". It can be spelled in several different ways depending on the language and dialect, such as Clocker, Kloker, Klocker, Klockert, and Kloekert.
In German, Kloeker is pronounced "KLOE-ker" and is an occupational surname, derived from the occupation of a clockmaker. The name is derived from the Middle or Old High German “Klocke,” which means “bell” and “Arer,” which means “worker.”
In the Dutch colonies, the Dutch spelling of Kloeker is Klokker, whereas in South African Afrikaans, Kloeker can be spelled Cloeker or Kloecker. While the origin of the name has German roots, these variants and spelling variations can also be found in the Dutch, South African, and United States.
In the United States, Kloeker has variants including Klecker, Kolker, and Klocker. These surnames are likely derived from the German or Dutch versions, as settlers primarily from these countries immigrated to the US.
Other variants include Kleeker, Knocker, Klock, Kloock, Kloockman, Kloockmann, and Klockmann. For example, during the 1800s many German immigrants to the US changed their names from the German variants to the Americanized spellings when they arrived.
Overall, the surname Kloeker has many variants and different spellings, but is a German occupational surname derived from Kloecker or Klocker. It was primarily found in German-speaking countries, as well as Dutch colonies, US immigrants, and South African Afrikaans speakers.
Famous people with the name Kloeker
- Keanu Kloeker: He is a notable German actor and director, best known for his role in the 2016 action adventure film, Die Hard: Before the Fall.
- Max Kloeker: He is a professional musician from the US who has released several albums and singles, as well as receiving several award nominations.
- Karl Kloeker: He was a German painter and sculptor who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is known for his still-life paintings.
- Nicolai Kloeker: He is a German political scientist who has written numerous books about his country's history and political system.
- Bernd Kloeker: He is a famous German cinematographer who has worked on many popular television series and films, ranging from war movies to period dramas.
- Raymond Kloeker: He is a Swiss-American saxophonist who has performed with many big-name acts over the years, including Miles Davis, Ray Charles, and Sonny Rollins.
- Helge Kloeker: He is a German entrepreneur and best-selling author who has written books on marketing, business strategy, and personal branding.
- Gustav Kloeker: He was a noted German composer, conductor, and music professor who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Debby Kloeker: She is an American actress who is best known for her recurring role on the popular television series, Glee.
- Carsten Kloeker: He is a German mathematician and computer scientist who specializes in computational geometry and robotics.