Surname Klingenbeil - Meaning and Origin
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Klingenbeil: What does the surname Klingenbeil mean?
Klingenbeil is a German last name and originates from the Middle Ages. It is a combination of two words - “Klinge”, which means blade or sword, and “Beil”, which means axe. Thus, the literal translation of Klingenbeil could be interpreted as “sword and axe”.
This surname likely derived from a profession of some sort, as the combination of two weapons suggests a job that involves using both a sword and an axe. Medieval era blacksmiths were likely responsible for repairing and crafting these weapons, so it is possible that this surname indicates an ancestor who worked in metalworking in some way.
Klingenbeil is a unique surname as it is not common in Germany today. However, there are subtle variants of the name such as Klingenberger and Klingeböhl that are shared among many families.
Overall, the Klingenbeil surname likely indicates an ancestor who worked as a metalworker in Medieval times and was proficient in the use of both a sword and an axe. It is an uncommon but interesting surname to discover in family history.
Order DNA origin analysisKlingenbeil: Where does the name Klingenbeil come from?
The last name Klingenbeil is most commonly seen in Germany and Poland. The name is of German origin, referring to a person who was related to a highly-skilled knife maker, blacksmith, or a worker of other sharp metal ornaments. In Germany, the name is most commonly seen in the state of Saxony, the state of Bavaria, and the state of Brandenburg.
In Poland, the name is widely seen in several provinces, the warmest of which is the province of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The name is also seen in the provinces of Greater Poland and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeships as well as the city of Warsaw.
The earliest recorded usage of the Klingenbeil surname was found in records of 1314 in cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Kissingen, and Stuttgart. Census records from the late 19th century also show that the name is closely associated with various villages and small towns in the province of Pomerania.
Due to centuries of immigration, the last name Klingenbeil is also seen today in various countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Moreover, various derivative spelling for the surname including Klinkenbeil and Klintenbeil are also widely seen, particularly in the U.S.
Variations of the surname Klingenbeil
The spelling and variants of Klingenbeil name are diverse and include Klingenbal, Klingenbell, Klingenbiel, Klingenbieler, Klingenbiller, Klingenboel, Klingenboeler, Klingenboeller, Klingenbol, Klingenböller, Klingenbush, Klingebil, Klingebill, Klingebiller, Klingeboel, Klingeboeller, and Klingeboehl.
The origin of Klingenbeil surname can be traced back to northern Germany. It was derived from the personal name Chlintila, which was formed from the first two syllables of the Germanic personal name Balding. Klingenbeil derived from this name with the 'ein' meaning ' Sword and 'Beil' meaning axe or hatchet which originated from the Middle High German 'biele' and 'billen' whilst 'böllen' and 'boel' from the Low German dialects.
Klingenbeil is still a popular surname in Germany today with many other variants in different countries, including Klingenbell, which is a common variant in Austria and Switzerland, and Klingenbieler, which is a variant in the United States.
Klingenbeil can also be linked to other surnames such as Klingenberg, Klingenberg, Klingebel, Klinger, Klingerstorff, Klinkenbeil, Klingerhoff, and Klingerl. All of these variants are derived from the same source and have the same meaning - "one carrying a small axe."
Famous people with the name Klingenbeil
- Rasmus Klingenbeil: Finnish musician
- Chris Klingenbeil: former footballer for North Carolina Tar Heels
- David Klingenbeil: professor of educational psychology at Mississippi State University
- Stephen Klingenbeil: composer, conservator, and accordionist
- Joseph Klingenbeil: a freelance photographer and blogger from Germany
- Alexandra Klingenbeil: a Danish journalist and theatre director
- Michael Klingenbeil: German architect and Managing Director of Projektil Architekten
- Jürgen Klingenbeil: German professor of cultural studies at the University of Augsburg
- Mathilde Klingenbeil: a German politician and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
- Hanno Klingenbeil: a German trade union official, writer and academic