Surname Van Cleave - Meaning and Origin
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Van Cleave: What does the surname Van Cleave mean?
The last name Van Cleave is of Dutch origin and means 'from the Cliff'. It is derived from the Middle Dutch words ‘van’ and ‘kleef’ which references the landforms of high, steep cliffs as the inhabitants of the Netherlands are known to have resided near coastal regions. The surname likely originated as a physical description of a person’s geographic locale and was eventually adopted as a surname.
Although the exact origin of the van Cleave surname is not known, it is believed to have been primarily used as a descriptive identifier to indicated a specific place were somebody lived or had familial ties to. As people began to migrate throughout Europe, this name became popular as families identified themselves by their homeland or village. As people became more mobile, this descriptive pseudonym was used as a means of establishing ones social identity and origin.
Although the spelling of the last name has varied over time, Van Cleave was one of the most common versions of the surname due to the popularity of specific families that used this version while in the Dutch-speaking dialects of Germany and the Netherlands. Today the surname is common throughout the United States, where it originated in the 17th and 18th centuries, when many Dutch settlers began to migrate to the Americas.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Cleave: Where does the name Van Cleave come from?
The last name Van Cleave is commonly found in the United States today, most prominently in the Midwest. Ancestry research reveals that the name is concentrated in Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, and Kentucky. The majority of individuals bearing the Van Cleave surname originated in the British Isles but other family lines trace back to Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the surname Van Cleave is found most often in rural areas, where it is associated with farming and other agricultural endeavors. Many family lines trace back to Dutch immigrants who arrived and settled in this region during the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. Over time, the Van Cleave name has become synonymous with farming and other rural communities in the Midwest.
Today, Van Cleave families continue to be prevalent in the region as well as throughout the United States. In addition to ancestory research, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have allowed individuals with the Van Cleave name to connect and share stories with one another. Moreover, Van Cleave families often participate in family reunions, which allow the clan to come together and celebrate their shared heritage.
Variations of the surname Van Cleave
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Van Cleave can be broken down into three types: Dutch, French and German variants.
The most common Dutch variant of the Van Cleave surname is VanKleef or VanKleve, which originated in the Netherlands and derived from the Dutch words indicating "cliff". The French translation of the name is VanClé, derived from the French word "cliff" or "cleft".
The German variant is the most common variant due to its widespread use in North America. This name is most commonly spelled as VonKleve, although some variations include VonKlee, Kleeff, Kleefe, Kleff or Klef. Each of these spellings is derived from the German word "Kleef", which translates to "cliff" in English.
Other variations and spellings of the name may include Cleaves, Kleeves, Kleves, Kleives, Kleees, Kleevs, Klefes, Klickes, and Klix. The variants are most widely found in the US.
The Van Cleave surname is believed to have originated in the Dutch province of Zeeland, where the name was associated with a family of nobility and served as one of the ancestors of the Van Cleaves found in North America.
While there are many variants and spellings of this name that share the same origin and meaning, one thing that makes the Van Cleave surname stand out is its association with a line of nobility. As a result, it is often used to help trace ancestry and family connections.
Famous people with the name Van Cleave
- Tobin Van Cleave- an American freelance producer, actor, writer, production manager and casting assistant.
- John Van Cleave- a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander, United States Pacific Command from 2002 to 2005.
- Joe Van Cleave- an American musician, composer, songwriter, and producer.
- Kyle Van Cleave- a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for Oldham Athletic.
- Roger Van Cleave- a former politician in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
- Floella Van Cleave- a former beauty queen, media personality, and a Christian pastor for the Assemblies of God Ministries.
- Myles Van Cleave- an American software designer who was involved in the development of Microsoft Windows 1.0.
- Willy Van Cleave- an American professional skateboarder.
- Ciena Van Cleave- an artist, writer, and theorist from Dayton, Ohio.
- Steve Van Cleave- an American basketball coach and the current head coach of the UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team.