Surname Kling - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing the Unexpected: Expanding the Ancestral Horizons with iGENEA DNA testing
Exploring one's ancestry can uncover unexpected geographies and histories, resulting in a transformed self-understanding. One iGENEA DNA test revealed the diverse and travelled roots of the Kling family, uprooting preconceptions and establishing a broader, more complex image of the ancestral past.
T. Kling
read moreKling: What does the surname Kling mean?
The German surname Kling (also spelled Klink) is derived from the Middle High German word “klingen”, which means “bell” or “ring”. As such, it was most likely an occupational name referring to somebody who worked as a bell-ringer or bell-maker. In other words, it was probably someone who made and sold bells, perhaps in a church or monastery. The Kling surname is very common in Germany and has spread from there to other parts of Europe and to North America as well.
Throughout the centuries the meaning of the name Kling has undergone several changes. In the Middle Ages, when the name was first established, it was likely an occupational name referring to a bell-maker. But today, Kling is usually regarded as a nickname referring to somebody who is made of “steel”, in other words, someone who is strong and resilient. This is largely due to the widespread use of the nickname “Der Klinge” (the blade) for soldiers and warriors in Germany and other parts of Europe, since blades were traditionally made of steel.
The Kling surname has been popular for many centuries, and is still commonly found throughout Germany and other parts of Europe today. Its popularity is likely due to its strong connection to bell-making in the Middle Ages as well as its connotations of strength and resilience in modern times.
Order DNA origin analysisKling: Where does the name Kling come from?
The last name Kling is a common German surname that can still be found throughout Germany and many other countries with German roots, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Among the countries with the highest concentrations of the Kling surname are Germany, the United States, Canada, and Israel. Within the United States, the Kling surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. In Canada, Kling is a relatively common name, with the highest concentrations being found in Ontario and Alberta.
Kling can also be found throughout the world in countries with immigrants from German-speaking countries, sometimes in quite high numbers. Although the name is most common in German-speaking countries, a significant diaspora has spread the Kling name to many countries, particularly the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, and South Africa.
The Kling surname has a variety of origins, but the most likely explanation is that it comes from the Middle High German word “klingen,” which means to sound or to ring. As such, the last name Kling was probably given to a person who was frequently heard or “sounded” at markets, fairs, or other public places. Alternatively, the Kling surname may have evolved from a nickname for someone who lived near a church bell, as the German word for church bell is “Klingel.”
Variations of the surname Kling
The surname Kling is of German origin, and one of the variants that can be found is Klyng. The spelling of the surname Kling can also be seen as Klink, Klynk, Klinck, and Kleink. The variants and spellings of the surname Kling can be differently depending on the region and country the name is found in.
In Germany the surname has also been found as Klinky, Klinge, Klingen, Klinger, Klincks, and Klurks. In England the variant forms include Klink, Klynk, Klynks, and Klinger. In the Netherlands the surname Kling is found as Klinker and in Finland the variant spellings can be seen as Klinge and Klyngen.
In the US, some of the common variant forms of the surname Kling include Klings, Klins, and Klines. There have also been other variants like Klinghamer, Klingberg, Klingsmith, Klinkner and Klingesberger.
Other variants of the surname Kling have been found in Russia, Switzerland, Poland, Austria, and Algeria which include Klinkov, Klinkow, Klinkss, Klingzish, Klinski, Klyzwa, Klingman, Klunzinger, Klinigen, Klinka, Kluwgull, and Klingderer.
Each variant of the surname Kling has its own origin and is often used to denote its specific origin. Depending on the region and country, the variant forms and spellings of the surname Kling could be different, thus it is best to research the individual variants to determine their origin.
Famous people with the name Kling
- Peter Kling: A German writer and journalist, best known for his science fiction novel The Little Black School.
- Anna Kling: An American painter who was active in the first half of the 20th century.
- Johann Kling: The founding pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.
- William Kling: An American composer and pianist who wrote several Broadway musicals.
- Lothar Kling: A German composer, conductor, and vocalist who composed the cantata Oh Holy Night.
- Franz Kling: A German illustrator and caricaturist who did illustrations for several Jules Verne novels.
- Carl Kling: An American politician from Michigan who served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Carl August Kling: A German physiologist who wrote the book Physiology and Pathology of the Human Body.
- Adam Kling: An American entrepreneur who founded the Kling Security Group.
- Nikki Kling: An Austrian singer-songwriter who released five albums between 2000 and 2015.