Surname Kloffenstine - Meaning and Origin

Kloffenstine: What does the surname Kloffenstine mean?

The surname Kloffenstine is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'Klofenstine' meaning 'stony narrows', referring to someone who lived in an area with narrow stony passes.

The earliest known record of the surname dates back to 14th century Germany, when a man by the name of Konrad Klofenstine was born. Records suggest he was a knight in the Prussian army. As the surname moved with emigrants across Europe, it changed its spelling in various languages. Within records of emigration, Kloffenstine appears alongside variants such as Kloffenstein, Kloffensteiner, Klaffenstein, etc.

By the mid 18th century, the surname had spread to America, most likely traveling the same route as many of the Swiss-German emigrants of that time. Within the United States, the surname Kloffenstine is concentrated within the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Today, Kloffenstine is considered to be a rare surname, with around 224 bearers worldwide. In countries where the use of surnames is still common, such as China, India and Brazil, it is almost unheard of. In the United States, less than 5 families in 200 carry the name.

Despite its rarity, the Kloffenstine surname carries a rich history of migration and exploration and stands to represent the many generations of families whose journeys, both literal and metaphorical, have shaped the world as we know it.

Kloffenstine: Where does the name Kloffenstine come from?

Kloffenstine is an uncommon surname today but it can still be found in countries such as Germany, the United States, Canada, Austria, and the Netherlands. This surname is believed to have originated with a Germanic clan from the upper palatinate forests in Bavaria before spreading across Europe in the 1800s.

In the United States, records indicate that the surname can be found most commonly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Michigan. Pennsylvania lists the highest population of Kloffenstines, with a few instances in other states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia.

In Canada, Kloffenstine is found mainly in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, with fewer instances in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Maritime provinces.

Austria has sightings in Graz, Vienna, and Innsbruck, while the Netherlands records point mainly to southern Holland around Roermond, and Amsterdam, with one instance in Tilburg.

Kloffenstine continues to be seen today, though instances of this name are most likely to be found in locations where the surname has been established for some time.

Variations of the surname Kloffenstine

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kloffenstine are Kleinsteiger, Kleinstieger, Klienstigar, Kleinstegar, Kleinsticker, Kleinsticker, Kleinstecker, Kleinstbauer, Kleinstbauer, Kleinstsmith, Kleinstesmith, Kleinsmith, Kleinestayger, Kleinstayger, Klinesteyger, Kliensteigar, and Klienstbauer.

The surname Kloffenstine is of German origin. It is a patronymic form of the surname Kloffenstein, meaning a "small boulder". It is derived from the Middle High German word "kleinstein", meaning a small stone or boulder. Variant spellings of the name include Kleinstieger, Kleinsteiger, Kleinstigar, Kleinstegar, Kleinsticker, Kleinsticker, Kleinstecker, Kleinstbauer, Kleinstbauer, Kleinstsmith, Kleinstesmith, Kleinsmith, Kleinestayger, Kleinstayger, Klinesteyger, Kliensteigar and Klienstbauer.

The surname has been found in many parts of Germany since the medieval period, especially in the regions of Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where it remains well-represented today.

Early records of the surname in Germany include Conrad Kleinsteiger mentioned in the city of Bremen in 1539 and Marcus Kleinsteiger mentioned in the city of Riga in 1588. To the present day, the surname can be found in many forms across Germany, with records of the surnames Klienstigar and Kleinstayer in the present day German city of Wernigerode as recently as 2019.

The surname Kloffenstine may also have spread beyond Germany. In the United States, the name has been found in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin since the 19th century, suggesting a possible migration by the family to the New World in the 19th century.

Famous people with the name Kloffenstine

• Chris Kloffenstein: American professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.
• Jonathan Kloffenstein: American director, writer, and producer. He is best known for films like The Lost Boys, Halloween II, Elf, and I, Robot.
• Ryan Kloffenstein: Former professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks.
• John Kloffenstein: Professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL).
• David Kloffenstein: Professional American football player who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
• Joe Kloffenstein: Former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants.
• Ben Kloffenstein: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his songs "Laura", "You & Me", and "Unfinished Business".
• Jeff Kloffenstein: Professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour from 1992 to 1999.
• Robert Kloffenstein: American artist best known for his abstract expressionist paintings.
• Patrick Kloffenstein: Recording engineer, producer, and audio mixer based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked with many renowned artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey.

Other surnames

Kloffenstein