Surname von Kleef - Meaning and Origin
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von Kleef: What does the surname von Kleef mean?
The last name von Kleef is of German origin. It comes from the Kleef region of North Rhine-Westphalia which is located in the western part of Germany. The name itself is derived from the town of Kleef which is believed to have received its name from a stream called the Kleff.
The prefix "von" is a simple indication that the bearer of the name is from the region of Kleef and was a member of a certain family. The term von Kleef is therefore a sort of hereditary name which signals the noble status of the holder by connecting them with a region of distinction. Of course, it is also possible for those who were not born with the von Kleef name to gain it through marriage.
In the present day, the von Kleef name is not limited to one particular area. Those who now carry the name are found throughout Europe as well as abroad. Notably, a few members of the British Royal Family carry the name, including some of Queen Elizabeth II’s descendants.
In conclusion, the von Kleef name is of German origin, dating back to the town of Kleef. Its prefix “von” denotes noble status and is associated with those of distinction. Moreover, individuals carrying the name are now found across the world, including the British Royal Family.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Kleef: Where does the name von Kleef come from?
The last name von Kleef is most commonly associated with Germany. It is a German surname which originated in the Middle Ages, and is believed to be derived from Old Germanic words related to wealth, power, and protection. While the name is still relatively common in Germany today, it is also now found in many other countries across Europe, as well as in the United States, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Brazil.
In Germany, the name von Kleef can be found mostly in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. According to a regional analysis of the 2020 German census data, the name von Kleef was present in about 1620 households across all 3 states.
Von Kleefs have lived and worked in many areas throughout Germany throughout history. In the 19th century, many von Kleefs held prominent positions within the Prussian military and in government, while more recent generations have taken up professions such as allergy specialists, dentists, and engineers.
Today, with the globalization of genealogical data and the internet, von Kleefs and their descendants can be found all around the world. With the help of genealogy websites, people are able to easily trace their roots, and find out who their ancestors were and where they came from.
Variations of the surname von Kleef
Von Kleef is a Germanic surname which is believed to have originated in the German Rhineland city of Kleve. It is likely derived from the Middle Low German words ‘klee’ meaning clover and ‘ve’ meaning “village” or ‘feme’ meaning “family”. It is most commonly spelled as Von Kleef but can also be spelled as Van Kleef, Von Kleeff, Von Klefe, Van Kleefe, Von Kleff, Kleff and von Kleff. Due to different language and dialect pronunciations, it may also be pronounced as Von Klaif.
The variations of the surname can also be found in different countries under different spellings. Some examples include Kleef in Holland and Kleyff in Russia. It may also be seen as variants of the main surname such as Kleefe, Klever, Kleyf, Klaive, Kleive, Klein, Clever, Kleb, Klief, Kleive, Kleve as well as other spelling variations.
The surname has been used over generations in various European countries, notably in the Dutch, German, Swedish and Danish cultures and is still present in many countries today. The surname is also associated with a noble title, thus adding a prestigious status to the surname.
As a result, individuals carrying this surname may come to find connections and relatives throughout Europe and beyond, and with numerous spellings and genealogical variations, the von Kleef heritage can continue to be celebrated and recognised for generations to come.
Famous people with the name von Kleef
- Anke von Kleef: German actress who has appeared in Jenseits der Mauer and Dokument: Unerwünscht.
- Jan van Kleef: Dutch politician who served in the House of Representatives and Senate (1971-1982).
- Gerhard von Kleef: military commander in the Imperial German Army during World War I.
- Alexander von Kleef: Austrian sculptor and artist who primarily worked in stone.
- Marie von Kleef: German actress who has appeared in films such as Der Erbe and Eine Liebesreise im Sommer.
- Robert Oskar Freiherr von Kleef: German noble and diplomat who served in the Imperial Secretariat of State.
- Friedrich Ludwig Burchard Friedrich von Kleef: Prussian military officer who fought in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.
- Nathan von Kleef: German-American Jewish composer who wrote a few film scores for UFA and also composed music for the PBS television series Victory at Sea.
- Adolph Carl von Kleef: German doctor who worked as a medical inspector for the Prussian army.
- Alfred von Kleef: German M.D. and professor of medicine who wrote dozens of books on medicine and pathology.