Origin of the surname Kleinmann

This is one of the most famous of all surnames of Germanic origins. It is a nickname, and is recorded in some fifty spellings ranging from Klein, Kleyn, and Cline, to De Cleyne, Kleinermann, and Klejna, and with many compounds such as Kleinbaum and Kleinhandler. However spelt the origination is pre 7th century a.d., and the derivation is from the words klein or kleyne meaning "small". In ancient times before the introduction of surnames in about the 12th century, nicknames, particulary those of endearment were very popular.

In this case the word was probably applied to the youngest member of a family, although it could also have applied to one of small stature or even the reverse! Pre-medieval humour was both robust and personalised, so "Klein" may on occasion have been a nickname for a large person! The surname is one of the first ever recorded anywhere, and early examples taken from the authentic German charters and registers of the period, confirm its popularity. These include Walthem der Kleine of Kassel in the year 1209, Kounrad Claineman of Oberschwaben in 1283, Conrad Klainer of Friedingen in 1424, and Johan Klainhain of Konstanz in 1469. The first known recording of the surname anywhere in the world is probably that of Herolt der Kleine from Wurzburg, Germany, in the charters of that city for the year 1185. Surnames throughout the world have continued to "develop" over the centuries. This often leads to spellings far from their original form.

The surname Kleinmann. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname kleinmann is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname kleinmann, and in addition to the original locations of kleinmann, we can find out where people with the surname kleinmann can currently be found.

The surname Kleinmann around the world

The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname kleinmann provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname kleinmann has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Kleinmann

For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname kleinmann, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of kleinmann developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname kleinmann are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about kleinmann and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname kleinmann or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of kleinmann.

Notable Figures Named Kleinmann

Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname kleinmann were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like kleinmann can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname kleinmann who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Kleinmann and its bibliographic sources

The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of kleinmann are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname kleinmann, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of kleinmann, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Kleinmann