Surname Klinkhard - Meaning and Origin

Klinkhard: What does the surname Klinkhard mean?

The German surname Klinkhard is derived from the Middle High German word "Kelchhard", which has its roots in the Old High German word "kelihhaz". This combination of words signifies someone who makes or plays the "kelihhaz", which was an ancient musical instrument. The name Klinkhard could also refer to someone who was considered to be intelligent, since "kelihhaz" was a nickname given to scholars who were experts in certain fields of learning.

The surname Klinkhard is quite common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and is spread internationally by those countries’ emigrants to other countries. In 1907, many people with the name Klinkhard were recorded to be living in the United States.

In German, Klinkhard is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from the given name of the father of the initial bearer. As such, it could refer to a wide variety of people, such as a maker of musical instruments, someone who excelled in a certain field of knowledge, or potentially even a person who performed a specific profession; such as a goldsmith or tailor.

The surname Klinkhard is known to be quite ancient, with the first record of its use dating back to 1251. Though its literal meaning is still uncertain, it has become synonymous with intelligence, craftsmanship, and skill.

Klinkhard: Where does the name Klinkhard come from?

The last name Klinkhard is relatively uncommon and has been found throughout history over many countries and regions including Germany, Netherlands, the United States, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Most of the individuals that carry the surname Klinkhard are clustered primarily within Germany. As of recent population studies, the Klinkhard surname is most common in the states of Lower Saxony, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Klinkhard surname dates back to as early as the 16th century, first originating in Germany. It spread to other countries over successive centuries, usually as a result of emigration or migration. The most likely cause for the number of Klinkhards which are now found in the United States is the Palatinate emigration to America during the 18th century. This emigration movement was a surge of German immigration to the United States in the 1700s, as a result of religious persecution in the Palatine region of Germany.

Living family members of the Klinkhard surname are found all over the world. They tend to be concentrated in major German cities, however many Americans with the surname can be found scattered throughout the United States. This can make it difficult to track the Klinkhard family tree; it is believed that many families have multiple branches, originating from different states and countries.

As a rare surname, it is estimated that there are fewer than 500 individuals living in the United States who bear the name Klinkhard. Although the surname is not particularly popular, it does still exist and is used by individuals and families around the world.

Variations of the surname Klinkhard

The surname Klinkhard is thought to have originated in Germany and may have had multiple spelling variations through the years. The most common modern variants of Klinkhard are Klankard, Klinckhart, Klinkhart and Klinkhardt. However, due to the constant migration of people through the centuries, and the lack of standardization of spelling in early records many other variations have been recorded. Variations of this name found both in the United States and Germany include Klinkhard, Klinkard, Klinker, Klinkert, Klinkerdt, Kliner, Klinke, Klinkow, Klonk, Kloenk, Kloak and Klankert.

The surname Klinkhard can also be found under many different given names. It is also thought that some popular given names such as Detlef, Heindrich, Melchior, Dietrich, Ulrich, Erich, and Grobbecker may have been synonymous with Klinkhard. In some cases the surname may have mutated further to sound like Klinker. This may have been a result of linguistic differences or the accent of the original bearer.

The surname Klinkhard is particularly associated with the areas of Germany near the Rhine river. This is typical of most German surnames as many people moved and changed their names over the years. Variations of this surname can be found all around the world, as many people with that surname have had to migrate in search of a better life.

Famous people with the name Klinkhard

• Charles Klinkhard, American actor.
• Peter Klinkhard, American composer.
• August Wilhelm Klinkhard, German physicist.
• Duell Klinkhard, American musician and drummer.
• Rob Klinkhard, New Zealand radio producer and presenter.
• Joe Klinkhard, American animator and artist.
• Alyson Klinkhard, Canadian artist, painter and sculptor.
• Darrell Klinkhard, Canadian politician.
• Eva Klinkhard, German actress.
• Brian Klinkhard, American politician.
• Paul Klinkhard, German journalist and author.
• Dylan Klinkhard, American singer-songwriter.
• Ani Klinkhard, Swedish artist.
• Andries Klinkhard, South African professor and physician.
• Johann Klinkhard, Austrian composer and opera singer.
• Heike Klinkhard, German television presenter and journalist.
• Jamie Klinkhard, American television producer.
• Mary Klinkhard, Danish electronic musician.
• Bill Klinkhard, American singer.
• Kat Klinkhard, American actress.
• Vera Klinkhard, German art historian and professor.
• Katharine Klinkhard, American artist.
• Martin Klinkhard, Dutch poet.

Other surnames

KlinkhamerKlinkhammerKlinkhardtKlinkhart