Surname Clüver - Meaning and Origin
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Clüver: What does the surname Clüver mean?
The last name Clüver is a German surname derived from the word "clover," a type of flowers of the genus Trifolium. Clüver can trace its lineage back to Middle High German word "cluobro," meaning "clover," and the German term "klee," meaning "clover." It appears to have been derived from a nickname for a person with a special fondness of clover, or a toponymic name referring to someone living in a clover-covered area.
The Clüver surname has been associated with Germany since at least the 12th century. It has since spread across Continental Europe and has been used as a family name in the United States since the late 1800s. Throughout its history, Clüver has been a fairly common last name in German-speaking countries.
Clüver is often used as a descriptive term, referring to someone as a "clover-lover," alluding to the idea that this person has a special affinity or fondness for them. Clüver is also viewed by some as a sign of good luck, since clovers are believed to bring happiness and good luck to those who bear them.
Overall, Clüver is a unique last name that can be traced back centuries ago and has a long, rich history associated with it. Those with this surname often take pride in being part of such a long-standing tradition, while others may find great luck in bearing it.
Order DNA origin analysisClüver: Where does the name Clüver come from?
The last name Clüver is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is thought to have originated. It is especially prominent in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, with approximately 4,500 people reported to have the surname in 2017. Additionally, the name is relatively common in Denmark, where nearly 1,200 people had the name that same year.
The origin of the name Clüver has been largely debated, though most sources point to a Middle Low German word, "klüvers" – meaning "jackdaw". Jackdaws are a species of crow that are native to Europe, and are particularly common in Germany and Denmark. It is thought that this is the basis of the Clüver surname, though variations of the name – such as Clövan, Claue and Clöve – were also found in the Netherlands and Norway.
The Clüver name can also be found in other countries around the world, such as the United States, the Netherlands, and even Australia, where it may have been adopted by immigrant families. However, it is most prevalent in Germany, Denmark, and Schleswig-Holstein, where its origin is still believed to be.
Variations of the surname Clüver
The surname Clüver (also spelled as Cluever, Cliever, Cliver, Cleaver, Kliever, Kluiver, and Kluyver) is of German origin and derived from the Old High German word "klīvār," which means cleaver or bill-hook.
Variants of Clüver include Cluever, Cliever, Cliver, Cleaver, Kliever, Kluiver, and Kluyver.
Cliever, Cleaver, and Cliver are Dutch-English variations of the German Clüver, while Kliever and Kluiver are Dutch and Flemish variations, respectively. Kluyver is a more modern spelling, originating from Dutch.
The Clüver spelling has been a popular surname in Northern Germany since the Late Middle Ages. Since the Early Modern Times, it has been recorded in various spellings across Europe, notably in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States.
The Cleaver variants of the name are mostly found in England and Ireland, while Cliever, Cliver, Kliever, Kluiver and Kluyver are common in the Netherlands and Flanders.
In addition to Clüver, other surnames stemming from the same root include Kleiver, Claiver, Kleiver, Kleve, and Klaiver.
Today, the Clüver name is found in many parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom. It is also a popular name among immigrants in countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.
Famous people with the name Clüver
- Helmut Clüver: German film, television, and stage actor.
- Anna Clüver: German actress and model.
- Corinna Clüver: German model, photographer, and artist.
- Angelika Clüver: German actress, film director, and singer.
- Jan-Philipp Clüver: German actor and singer.
- Birgit Clüver: German sculptor and painter.
- Stefan Clüver: German actor, screenwriter, and director.
- Lars Clüver: German television actor and director.
- Philip Clüver: German actor and comedian.
- Felix Clüver: German actor, television presenter, comedian, and radio host.
- Franz Christian Clüver: German physician and naturalist who established the modern scientific system of nomenclature for geographical features.
- Philip Clüver the Younger: German geographer and theologian.
- Peter Clüver: German historian, mathematician, and cartographer.
- Johann Heinrich Clüver: German physicist and astronomer.
- Melchior Clüver: German philologist associated with the project of early Germanic linguistics.
- Jrgen Clüver: German actor and film producer.
- Hendrik Clver: Dutch field hockey player.
- Heinrich Clver: Dutch field hockey player.