Surname Kleih - Meaning and Origin
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Kleih: What does the surname Kleih mean?
The surname Kleih is of German origin. It is a short form of the German name Klain or Kleinschmid, meaning small craftsman or artisan. The name most likely derived from the medieval practice of qleihsmied, which involved making small implements such as locks and hinges.
The name was popular in the Middle Ages and can be found as early as the fifteenth century. It is thought to have been used to indicate that someone had once been a craftsman or small-scale artisan, or was a descendant of such a person. The name is common today in regions of Germany, Austria and other countries in Central Europe.
Kleih is most likely derived from Old High German, however there is no definitive origin of the name. The spelling has changed over time, with variants such as Kleyh and Kleh.
The surname is most commonly found in Germany, although it is also found in other parts of Europe such as Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic. It is also sometimes found in the United States, although it is far less common.
The name Kleih retains the significance of its hereditary meanings, carrying with it the weight of a name passed down through generations of artisans, supporting a legacy of skilled craftsmen and their creations.
Order DNA origin analysisKleih: Where does the name Kleih come from?
The surname Kleih is most commonly found in Germany today. In Germany, the majority of people bearing the surname come from the area around Darmstadt and Kassel. The Kleih name is believed to be a toponymic surname, derived from the Old German words 'Klehe' and 'Klaehe', which describe a small stream or ditch respectively.
The Kleih surname is quite rare, with only around 300 individuals named Kleih registered in Germany in the current telephone directory. There are several notable individuals who have borne the Kleih name throughout history. These include the 14th century writer and theologian Willem Kleih, who published several influential works, and the 16th century Protestant preacher Dirk Kleih.
The surname Kleih is also present in small numbers in other European countries, particularly those with sizeable German populations. It is commonly found in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as in small numbers in Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.
Outside of Europe, the surname Kleih is present in the United States. Here, it is most common amongst those of German descent living principally in the states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Kleih
Kleih is an uncommon surname of West European origin. Although not commonly found in many parts of the world, the name appears to have derived from either the German 'klei', meaning clay, or the Dutch word 'kley', meaning 'piece of wood'.
Variants of the name Kleih include: Kleyh, Kley, Kleyhe, and Kleyh. Spellings such Keleih and Kleihh are also common.
The surname Kleih is also related to various surnames of the same origin in other countries, such as the Dutch family name Kleyh, the German name Kley, the Polish Klej, and the Ukrainian Kleyh.
Most of these variants are associated with the same occupational origin of pottery or clay-making. The surname was most likely adopted by clay-makers and potters during medieval times, a reflection of the craft's importance and ubiquity, especially in the rural parts of the West European region.
The surnames Kleyh, Kley, Kleeh, Klee, Kleh and Kleih are also often combined with the suffixes or prefixes of -er, -man, -meyer, -macher, -walter and -schmidt to create surnames such as Kleehman, Kleehmeyer, Kleyhmacher, Klewalter, Kleywer, and Kleihschmidt. These surnames are also largely found in the same West European region, reflecting the same occupational origin.
Famous people with the name Kleih
- Hans Kleih: Austrian artist known from his landscapes and postcards of locations around Vienna.
- Anja Kleih: German actress who is best known for appearing in the popular television show “Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten”.
- Ernst Kleeh: German composer and arranger who wrote scores for films and television series such as “Der Kommissar”.
- Robert Kleih: Austrian journalist and author who has written for numerous newspapers and magazines.
- Alfred Kleih: Austrian-born sculptor and designer who was a major figure in the 20th century modernist period of Vienna.
- Thomas Kleih: German architect known for designing several buildings in Düsseldorf, including the impressive Ring dome.
- Stephan Kleih: Austrian cinematographer who has worked on multiple Austrian and German films.
- Johann Kleih: Austrian landscape painter who specialized in depicting scenes from Vienna and its surroundings.
- Angelika Kleih: German actress and author who has appeared in multiple films and television series, namely “Die Wache” and “Tatort”.
- Johannes Kleih: German opera singer and actor who is best known for appearing in the stage adaptation of “Der Rosenkavalier”.