Surname van Cleef - Meaning and Origin
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van Cleef: What does the surname van Cleef mean?
The last name Van Cleef is a Flemish (Belgian/Dutch) surname derived from the Dutch words ‘van’ and ‘cleeve’. 'Van' is a prefix which literally translates to ‘of’ or 'belonging to', while 'cleeve' is an old Dutch word meaning 'cliff, steep slope, face of a hill' or ‘bank of a river’.
The original bearer of this surname would have likely lived along or near a cliff-face, precipice, hill or riverbank and the surname was likely given to them in order to denote where they lived or their geographical origins.
The surname has various other forms or derivatives in Flemish/Belgium and Dutch areas of Northern Europe, such as Claeve, van Claeve, van Cleve, Cleef and Van Clief. It is common in Belgium and the Netherlands, and less frequent in German-speaking countries.
The surname is also found in the United States, where it is primarily found in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, all of which have large populations of Belgian and Dutch descent.
The word ‘cleeve’ itself is an Old English word illustrating the antiquity of the surname, and is an example of how the surname remained unchanged for generations, preserved through changing borders and language, testament to the strength of a family’s bond to the land and with each other.
Order DNA origin analysisvan Cleef: Where does the name van Cleef come from?
The last name van Cleef is most commonly found in the Netherlands, as that is where the name is believed to have originated. It is also common in Belgium, Germany, and France, as these countries are all relatively close to the Netherlands.
In addition to having a presence in Europe, van Cleef can also be found throughout the United States, Canada, South America, and even South Africa. Some variants of the name are also sometimes seen in the Middle East.
Van Cleef is a fairly uncommon name in most countries; however, the presence of famous individuals with the family name, such as the French actor and filmmaker André van Cleef, has undoubtedly helped to make the name more widely known. It is not amongst the most common of surnames, however, it is still heard frequently in some parts of the world.
The name van Cleef is generally associated with the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, but it can be found in many other areas around the world. As it has been known for centuries, the name is likely to remain in some parts of the world for many years to come.
Variations of the surname van Cleef
Van Cleef is a Dutch surname, derived from “van” meaning “of” and “Cleef”, a toponymic name related to the Dutch word “kleef” which means “clay.” Some variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for van Cleef include:
Van Cleaf: This is an anglicised spelling of van Cleef.
Van Kleef: This is another anglicised spelling of the surname.
Van Cleeve: This is another spelling of the surname.
Cleef: This is a short form of van Cleef.
Van Cleave: This is another variant spelling of the surname.
Van Kleeff: This is another variant spelling of van Cleef.
Kleeff: This is another variant and short form of van Cleef.
Van Cleefs: This is a Dutch variant of the surname.
Van Kleeft: This is another Dutch variant of the surname.
Kleef: This is another short form of the surname.
Kleefstra: This is a Dutch patronymic form of the surname.
Van Cleeff: This is also another Dutch variant of the surname.
Van Gelder: This is a Dutch surname derived from the Dutch word “gelder” meaning “guardian”, indicating the ancestors of the family were guardians living in the region of Cleef.
Van Gilder: This is another Dutch surname which is a variant of the surname Van Gelder.
Van Kleefstra: This is a Dutch patronymic form of the surname.
Van Cleeffstra: This is another Dutch patronymic form of the surname.
Van Clement: This is a Dutch patronymic form of the surname, derived from “Clement” meaning “shrewd”.
Van Klyef: This is an archaic Dutch form of the surname.
Klyef: This is an archaic short form of the surname.
Van Clephen: This is a Dutch patronymic form of the surname, derived from “Clephen” which means “spear”.
Famous people with the name van Cleef
- Lee Van Cleef: American actor best known for his roles in Westerns and Spaghetti Westerns.
- Cornelis van Cleef: Dutch astronomer who discovered comet C/1744 K1 (Van Cleef) in 1744.
- Cornelius van Cleef: Dutch mayor of Nijkerk (1784-1791).
- Cornelius van Cleef Jr.: Dutch painter of the post-Impressionist period.
- Lawrence van Cleef: American soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II.
- Joris Van Cleef: Dutch post-Impressionist painter.
- Jaap van Cleef: Dutch actor known for his roles in Mystery Road and Bellamy.
- Peter van Cleef: Dutch space scientist at the University of Amsterdam.
- Olivier van Cleef: Belgian-born Dutch tennis player.
- Debby van Cleef: Dutch author known for her books on health and nutrition.