Surname Kleeberg - Meaning and Origin

Kleeberg: What does the surname Kleeberg mean?

The last name Kleeberg is a German-language surname. It is derived from the German word “Klee” which means clover, and the word “Berg” which means mountain or hill. Therefore, the name Kleeberg roughly translates to “clover hill.” This is an apt name for many of the places where individuals with this last name were believed to originate from.

Kleeberg is a common German-Jewish surname, originating from towns such as Grafenhausen, Bruchhausen, and Darmstadt. In the nineteenth century, the Kleeberg family likely moved to these regions to escape religious persecution or economic problems. By the 1930s they were mostly located in cities such as Berlin and Leeds.

Other Kleebergs would eventually emigrate to places such as the United States, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Today, the surname is still prominent among German-Jewish individuals. It remains an important part of their heritage and is a lasting reminder of their ancestral past.

The Kleeberg surname is a source of pride for many individuals who have been able to trace their roots back to Germany. It has a distinguished German-Jewish history and many modern-day Kleebergs continue to embrace its origin. Whether living in the historic towns of Germany or in contemporary cities across the world, this name carries a special significance for all its bearers.

Kleeberg: Where does the name Kleeberg come from?

The last name Kleeberg is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a very common German surname, with thousands of people bearing the name, living in many different regions of the country. It is also found scattered across several other Central and Eastern European countries, from Poland to Hungary and Croatia.

The name likely originated in the Middle Ages, derived from the Polish and Czech word klejbog, meaning “stall keeper”. It could also be connected to the word klēbs, which means “rock” in Old High German.

In Germany, the Kleebergs mostly live in the regions of Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria. There are also many Kleebergs living in Switzerland, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.

In the United States, the last name has been less common, but it is beginning to pop up more frequently as immigrants from European countries increasingly arrive in the country. Kleebergs living in the US can mostly be found in populous cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Variations of the surname Kleeberg

Kleeberg is a surname of German origin. Variants and spellings for this surname include Kleiberg, Kleyberg, Kleiber, Kleibert, Klieberg, Kleiberger, Kliebet, Kleibetz, Kleibert, Klieble, Kliebert, Kliebetz, Kliebet, Klüberg, Klüber, Klübert, Klüebet, and Klüebetz.

Kleeberg is a typically German name, which is related to the old German word "klîberg", meaning hillside. This shows that the original meaning of the surname likely had to do with someone who lived on a hillside.

The variants or alternate spellings of Kleeberg reflect both the emergence of different pronunciations throughout the generations, and in some cases, regional variations. These variations exist in other German surnames as well.

A few of the variations in spelling already occur in the 18th century. This is evidenced in lists of names of those participating in the Tannenberg Battle of 1757. For instance, one of the soldiers listed was named Valentinus Kleyberg, a variation of Kleeberg. Alternatively, Jacob Kliebet, or Valentin Klübert, for instance, were also listed in the battle list.

Many variations of the Kleeberg surname have now spread across various parts of Europe, such as England, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Russia. Some variations have even spread to the United States, and the surname can be found in numerous census records as early as the late 18th century.

No matter the variation or spelling, the surname Kleeberg will still be recognizable as having Germanic origins. Over the centuries, it has proven probably that the ubiquity of this particular surname is due to the fact that its origin is clear, easy to pass down, and very resilient.

Famous people with the name Kleeberg

• Sandra Kleeberg: German actor, best known for roles in films like Der Teufel war ein Wolf, Die Ehe der Maria Braun and Der große Bagarozy
• Paul Kleeberg: Founder of the Paul Kleeberg Foundation, which deals with the preservation of endangered species in the United States
• Dr. Stephen Kleeberg: American dermatologist and author of the book Loving Your Skin: The Comprehensive Guide to Dermatology and Your Skin
• John Kleeberg: Award-winning American country music guitarist, songwriter, and composer
• Annette Kleeberg-Kruse: German gymnast and multiple gold-medalist in the 1972 Summer Olympics
• Ulrich Kleeberg: Director of the German Historical Institute in Washington, D.C. and lecturer in modern German history at the Free University of Berlin
• Monika Kleeberg-Trebitsch: Renowned Austrian violinist, violist and concertmaster of the Wiener Symphoniker
• Fabian Kleeberg: German actor, known for his roles in films such as Seitenwechsel and Die Schokoladenkönigin
• Leon Kleeberg: American painting artist from New York
• Rolf Kleeberg: German television and film actor, mostly known for roles in the TV crime series Tatort, Der Alte, and SOKO Köln

Other surnames

Kleeberger