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Klein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

The name Klein comes from the German province known as the Rhineland. In pre-medieval times, the German people used only one name, but as the population increased, hereditary surnames became necessary for people to maintain unique identities. Klein is a nickname surname, a style of name based on an eke-name, or added name, that described a characteristic of its original bearer. Klein is a name for a small or short person deriving its origin from the German word “klien,” which means “small.”

Early Origins of the Klein family

The surname Klein was first found in the Rhineland, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Klein family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Klein research. Another 246 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1708, 1745, 1761, 1790, 1818, 1777, 1609, 1666, 1849, 1925, 1590 and 1658 are included under the topic Early Klein History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Klein Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Klein include Klein, Kleinn, Kleine, Kleinne, Kleyn, Kleynn, Kline, Clein, Clein, Cline, Kleiner, Klinertz and many more.

Early Notables of the Klein family (pre 1700)

Notables with the name Klein during this period were Daniel Klein (1609-1666), Lutheran pastor and scholar from Tilsit, Duchy of Prussia; and Felix Klein (1849-1925), who was an important German mathematician, founder of the institute of mathematics in Goettingen, and very influential…
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Klein Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Klein World Ranking

In the United States, the name Klein is the 436th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Klein is ranked the 726th most popular surname with an estimated 7,389 people with that name. [2] And in France, the name Klein is the 173rd popular surname with an estimated 19,541 people with that name. [3] Netherlands ranks Klein as 59th with 14,087 people. [4]

Klein migration to the United States

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Klein, or one of its variants above:

Klein Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Uldrich Klein, who arrived in New York City in 1641 with his wife Afje Pieters
Aefje Pieters Klein, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1641 [5]
Ulrich Klein, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1641 [5]
Willemyntje Huygens De Klein, who landed in America in 1680 [5]

Klein Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Klein, who arrived in New York in 1709 [5]
Amalia Klein, Anna Klein, Henrich Klein, Hieronymus Klein, Jacob Klein, and Johann William Klein all arriving in New York in 1709
Hieronymus Klein, who landed in New York in 1709 [5]
Amalia Klein, aged 12, who landed in New York in 1710 [5]
Anna Eliz Klein, aged 6, who arrived in New York in 1710 [5]
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Klein Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hector Klein, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 [5]
Frederick H Klein, who landed in Ohio in 1816 [5]
Philipp Klein, who arrived in Brazil in 1828 [5]
Francis A Klein, who landed in America in 1838 [5]
Wilhelm Klein, who arrived in Texas in 1840-1850 [5]
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Klein Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Samuel Klein, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 [5]

Klein migration to Canada

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Klein Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Franziska Klein, aged 4, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Friedrich Klein, aged 24, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Barbara Klein, aged 17, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Dominik Klein, aged 24, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Edward Klein, aged 14, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902

Klein migration to

Australia

Klein Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Johann Georg Klein, aged 33, a tanner, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship “Malvina Vidal”
Johanna Christiane Klein, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship “Victoria”

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Contemporary Notables of the name Klein (post 1700)

William Klein (1926-2022), American-born French photographer and filmmaker noted for his unique approach to the medium, ranked 25th on Professional Photographer’s list of 100 most influential photographers.awarded the Prix Nadar in 1957, the Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal and Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS) in 1999, and the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at the Sony World Photography Awards in 2011
John Anthony Klein III (1942-2017), American professional baseball executive director of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Gerda Weissmann Klein (b. 1924), Polish-born American writer and human rights activist, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Charles Herbert “Chuck” Klein (1904-1958), American Major League Baseball outfielder
Lawrence Robert Klein (1920-2013), American economist, laureate of Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (1980), recipient of the John Bates Clark Medal (1959)
David Klein (b. 1919), American diplomatist, was president of the German-American Partnership program 1977-85, as well as special assistant for Foreign Affairs to the president
Calvin Richard Klein (b. 1942), immensely popular American fashion designer and was named to the Coty Hall of Fame
Carole Klein (b. 1942), birth name of Carole King, American singer, songwriter, and pianist, best known for her album Tapestry which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks
Anna M. Klein, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maine, 2000 [6]
Ann Klein, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Governor of New Jersey, 1973; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1980 [6]
… (Another 88 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Klein family

Bismarck

Willy Klein (1920-1941), German Signalgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [7]
Fritz Klein (1915-1941), German Mechanikersmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [7]
Paul Klein (1920-1941), German Funkgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [7]
Bruno Klein (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [7]

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

Patricia Ann Klein (1953-1988), American Social Worker from Trenton, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died [8]

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Charles Klein, English 1st Class Passenger from London, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [9]

RMS Titanic

Mr. Herbert Klein (d. 1912), aged 33, English Barber from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [10]

Triangle Waist Company

Mr. Jacob Klein (b. 1888), Russian Jewish garment worker who was working at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; he died in the fire [11]
Miss Jennie Klein, American worker who was at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; she survived the fire [11]

Klein Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms