Surname Klingenmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Klingenmeyer: What does the surname Klingenmeyer mean?

The last name Klingenmeyer is of German origin, derived from the word “Klinge” meaning blade or sword, and “meyer”, a suffix meaning someone who maintains or operates something. Put together, the name literally means “blade or sword keeper”.

It is likely that the Klingenmeyer family descended from a Germanic tribe which, at one time, lived near or within a forest, and someone within the family maintained the family’s weapons, swords in particular. This person was likely trusted with the maintenance of these weapons and eventually earned the name Klingenmeyer.

It’s interesting to note that one variant of the Klingenmeyer surname, Klingele, is derived from the old German word “klingen”, which means ring or circle. While Klingenmeyer itself hasn’t been a common name, plenty of tongs, knives, swords, and tools bearing the Klingele surname have been discovered.

Klingenmeyer family values likely revolve around love and respect for the family’s heritage, and a connection to the Germanic roots from which the name originated. Depending on their roots, Klingenmeyers may have a high regard for honor, loyalty, and personal integrity. Hard work, family ties, and friendship are also likely highly valued.

Klingenmeyer: Where does the name Klingenmeyer come from?

The last name Klingenmeyer is most common in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Within Germany, the surname is most frequent in the state of Bavaria, with the highest density in the Regensburg district. In the United States and Canada, the surname is relatively rare, with a reported total of 4,731 Klingenmeyers in the 2000 census. Klingenmeyer is also reported to be present throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, Australia, and the Philippines.

It is believed that the surname Klingenmeyer is derived from the Middle High German word ‘klingen’ meaning to sound, and ‘meyer’ meaning mayor or master. The early Klingenmeyers were important merchants, craftsmen and landowners in the Middle Ages in Germany and Bavaria. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Klingenmeyers emigrated to other countries in search of new opportunities and to escape military conscription.

The Klingenmeyer surname has a wide variety of spellings and forms due to the various language and country origins. The most common variations recorded in the US are Klingenmeier, Klingemayer, Klingemeyer, Klingenmaier, Klingenmayer, and Klingenmeir. While most Klingenmeyers are of German heritage, it is possible to find Klingenmeyers of other countries and foreign nationalities.

Variations of the surname Klingenmeyer

Klingenmeyer is a German surname rooted in the Middle Ages, and is composed of two words, “Klingen” and “meyer,” meaning “sword” and “steward,” respectively. This particular surname originated from different regions of Germany, including the Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.

A few variants of Klingenmeyer include Klingenmayer, Klingemeyer, Klingenmeier, Klinkmeyer, Klinkenmeyer, Klinkenmeier, and Klingmayer.

Klingenmeyer is also spelled as Klingenmair, Klingemayr, and Klingemair, though the last one is usually exclusive to Austria.

When it comes to the surnames of the same origin as Klingenmeyer, you might come across Klinkemeyer, Klinkmayer, Klinkmeyer, Klingmeister, Klingimayer, Klingmeyeer, Klingenheim, Klinkmair, Klinkmeier, Klingamayer, Klinkemayer, Klincmeyer, and Klinckemeyer.

Basically, any spelling or surname that contains either “Klingen,” “Klink,” or “Klin” is related to the original name as these words mean “sword” in German. So even if the surname varies in spelling or contains different words, they all share the same origin and meaning.

Famous people with the name Klingenmeyer

• Heinz Klingenmeyer: German author, illustrator, and librettist
• Gustav Klingenmeyer: 19th-century German sculptor
• Mathias Klingenmeyer: Associate professor at the Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• Joachim Klingenmeyer: German businessman
• Burkhard Klingenmeyer: German winemaker
• Harry Klingenmeyer: American politician
• Josef Klingenmeyer: Private in the Imperial German Army during World War I
• Jakob Klingenmeyer: German theologian
• Hans-Otto Klingenmeyer: German professor of geosciences
• ES Klingenmeyer: American politician

Other surnames

Klingenmeier