Surname van Kleeff - Meaning and Origin
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van Kleeff: What does the surname van Kleeff mean?
The last name Van Kleeff is Dutch in origin, and is thought to have originated from the 12th century when people in the Netherlands and Belgium used either their given name or the name of their town as their surname. The prefix ‘van’ is common in Dutch surnames, and is derived from the Latin word ‘vannus’, meaning ‘of’ or ‘from’. In this case, Kleeff would refer to either a location or a person living near to or from a cliff, or even a nickname that has been passed down. Alternatively, the name may have developed from a profession associated with cliffs, such as quarrying or mining.
The name Van Kleeff was first found in Gelderland, a province of the Netherlands, where the original bearer is thought to have held a prominent position in the local society. Over the centuries it spread southwards, spreading throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and later further afield.
Today, the surname is one of the most popular in the Netherlands, and is still common in Belgium. It can also be found in countries around the world, which testify to the successful migrations of the original Van Kleeff settlers.
Order DNA origin analysisvan Kleeff: Where does the name van Kleeff come from?
The last name van Kleeff is primarily found in the Netherlands. In 2018 the Dutch national database reported that there were 639 occurrences of the surname. Most of these occur across the country, however, the highest number of individuals with the name were found in the province of South Holland. This province includes the cities of The Hague, Rotterdam, and Leiden.
Van Kleeff is primarily a Dutch surname derived from the Dutch words "van" and "Kleef" which mean "of" and "the dyke" respectively. This indicates that the family originated from the area surrounding a dyke. This could have been a location near a major river or other waterway.
It is not known if any individuals with the surname currently live beyond the Netherlands. There are individuals with the name living in the United Kingdom, however, these are likely to be Dutch nationals living abroad.
The surname does not appear to have spread widely throughout the world, likely due to its local origin. However, those with the surname in the Netherlands are likely related to each other and might be able to trace their family tree back centuries.
Variations of the surname van Kleeff
The van Kleeff surname is an old Dutch family name used by individuals living in the Netherlands and other parts of the world today. As a patronymic surname, the van Kleeff name is derived from a first name, in this case “Kleeff”. As such, there are a variety of possible spelling forms and alternate spellings that are used to refer to a single surname.
A few of the most common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as van Kleeff include the following:
Klerf: This spelling of the surname is typically seen in the Netherlands, particularly in the heavily Dutch-influenced regions of South Africa.
Kleff: This variant is commonly used by van Kleeff descendants scattered in various areas in the Netherlands and abroad.
Kloef: This is a derivative of the more popular spelling, Kleff, which begins to appear more often in regions that are distant from the original Dutch influence.
Klief: A slightly more formal spelling of the surname, Klief is often used in more official records and documents in both the Netherlands and various other locations.
Kleijf: This is another almost identical derivation of the van Kleeff name that is seen in official documents, as well as in common daily use.
Kleyf: This spelling can be seen in rural areas and regions of the Netherlands, and is becoming more commonplace in the United States, Australia, and elsewhere.
Van Cleef and Van Kief: These two forms are the most common of those pertaining to the van Kleeff name, and are especially common in the United States.
The van Kleeff surname is a patronymic name that has been shared by generations of Dutch families for centuries. As such, there are numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname, which are used in various countries around the world.
Famous people with the name van Kleeff
- Christian Van Kleeff: Christian is a Dutch model, stylist, fashion icon, and social media influencer. He is known for his classic, sophisticated style and for collaborating with brands such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Hugo Boss.
- Gary VanKleeff: Gary was the former president and CEO of The Mosaic Company, the world’s leading producer and global marketer of concentrated phosphates and potash.
- John van Kleeff: John is a Dutch abstract painter and sculptor. He is known for his bold and colourful paintings, which often explore nature-inspired themes.
- Maaike van Kleeff: Maaike is a Dutch producer, filmmaker, and writer. She is known for her award-winning documentaries and her acclaimed short film, "Till Death Do Us Part".
- Rajiv van Kleeff: Rajiv is a Swiss-based entrepreneur and is the founder of several successful companies in the medical technology, digital health, and wellness sectors.
- Anouk van Kleeff: Anouk is a Dutch multimedia artist, whose work often explores themes of nature, beauty, and spirituality. She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums around the world.
- Rachel VanKleeff: Rachel is an American beauty and lifestyle influencer. She is known for her makeup tutorials, skincare advice, fashion tips, and travel vlogs.