Surname von Cleve - Meaning and Origin
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von Cleve: What does the surname von Cleve mean?
The surname VON CLEVE is of German origin, derived from an old German title and family name of noble origin, meaning ‘from Cleve’. It originates from the town of Cleve in Germany, which is located near the Dutch border in the former Duchy of Cleves. The name could have been adopted by a nobleman or family who were from the town or had noble titles relating to the town.
The surname is held by several distinct families today, and has many variations, such as Van Cleve, Von Clowe, Voncloeve, Vonclef, and Von Cleve, amongst others. It is found mainly in Germany, but has also spread to other countries, including the United States. In the US, prominent people with the name include Hamilton Von Cleve, a prominent Army officer in the Civil War, and Elvira von Cleve, the daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and the lovely wife of Count Adam von Neipperg.
The last name can be seen as a symbol of the family’s historical background and heritage. It can signify a noble status and distinguished family history in certain areas of Germany, and is associated with those of a higher social class. Von Cleve is also often used as a symbol of coming from a certain area, and holding a prestigious and noble title among its inhabitants. Those who bared the surname have a unique past, full of accomplishments and admiration.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Cleve: Where does the name von Cleve come from?
The last name von Cleve is currently most common in Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. It is believed to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages, and its original spelling was de Clivis or de Cleve.
The name was adopted by many Germanic and Flemish aristocrats in the 13th and 14th centuries as they relocated to other parts of Europe. It was particularly common in the German Rhineland and in Flanders, and was often used as a modern substitute for more traditional hereditary titles of nobility.
In the centuries since, the von Cleve name has spread to many parts of the world. In the United States, the descendants of German and Flemish immigrants are the most likely to bear the name. In Australia it is commonly found among those of Dutch or German descent. In South American countries with a significant German or Dutch population, such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, there are also many people with the von Cleve last name.
People with the von Cleve name are also found in Russia, Canada, France, Spain, and parts of Africa, where German settlers established colonies in the 19th century. It is still most common in the areas where it originated, however, particularly Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria.
Variations of the surname von Cleve
The surname von Cleve is to be found in various forms all over Europe. It is an old German name, believed to have been derived from an old noble family in Germany. In Germany, particularly in regions of Rhineland, "Clüver/Cleves" is the most commonly used form of the name.
Variants of the von Cleve surname that are encountered in Germany are Clüver, Cluver, Clümann, Clevemann, Cleve, Clöven, Kloven, Kleywe, Kleef, Kleyf, Kleffe, Klöven, Kleve, Klef, Kleff, Klefef, Klev and Kleeve.
In England, the Anglicized version takes the form of Cliffe, Cleeve and Cleyve. Netherlandic variants include Kleef, Kleefman and Kleeman.
Neighboring countries of Germany such as Czech and Slovakia also recognize the von Cleve surname in its original German form. In Czech, the surname is ‘dě Lipa’ or ‘Dělipský’ with both variants derived from the word for ‘cliff’. Slovak variants include ‘Klieva’, and ‘Klievin’.
When Von Cleves migrated to Sweden, the name underwent slight modification, and is now pronounced ‘Cleef’ and Clevin/Klevin or ‘von Cleve’ in Sweden.
In Poland, the surname is most commonly found as ‘Klev’ and in Hungary as ‘Klieb’, with the other variants taking the form of ‘Klyf’ and ‘Kliuf’.
In the United States, the surname has become widely associated with German immigrants, and hence, many of the original German spellings are retained. Though, it is still found in many forms, such as Cleve, Cliff, Cleaves and Cliburn.
Famous people with the name von Cleve
- Sarah von Cleve: Ukrainian-born German artist and author
- Karl August von Cleve: Swedish Professor of Law
- Carl Cleve von Wigand: Baron and Swedish Army Major
- Friedrich von Cleve: Estonian politician and Member of Parliament
- Ernst von Cleve: German lawyer and German Imperial Minister of Justice
- Wolfgang von Cleve: German landscape painter
- Christoph von Cleve: German painter from Cologne
- Carl Theodor von Cleve-Schwerin: Prussian statesman
- Moritz von Cleve: Prussian diplomat
- Johann Moritz von Cleve: German-born Dutch statesman