Surname Kloefkorn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kloefkorn: What does the surname Kloefkorn mean?
The last name Kloefkorn (sometimes spelled Klöfkorn, Kloef Corn, Kloefcorn, Kloefkaunts, or Kloefkornes) is of German origin. It is believed to be derived from a combination of two German words: Klöf, referring to a small bay or inlet; and Korn, meaning a grain or kernel. Combined, the name suggests someone dwelling near a bay stocked with grain.
The first recorded use of the surname Kloefkorn dates back to 1796 in the German district of Ostfriesland, and appears to have been relatively common in that region as early as 1650. It's possible that the name was used to refer to someone who lived near the sea, as well as to refer to a person’s mastery of grains and other staples of life.
Through the years, Kloefkorn families have left their imprint on various parts of the world, from the United States to Canada and Germany and beyond. As time has progressed and men have ventured out from places of origin, Kloefkorn has spread to locations near and far.
Today, Kloefkorn remains a unique last name, conveying to all who bear it a deep sense of belonging and connection to their past. It can represent a deep sense of familial pride as well as a linkage between generations. Ultimately, Kloefkorn means something different to each individual, but to all, it is a reminder of the legacy left behind by one’s ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKloefkorn: Where does the name Kloefkorn come from?
The last name Kloefkorn is most commonly found in the United States. The name is fairly rare, however, it is found more heavily in certain regions, such as the Midwest and small rural communities in Southern states such as Iowa, Texas, and Missouri. The name is also found in small numbers in Canada and Germany. There is evidence suggesting that the Kloefkorns are of German descent.
The origin of the name Kloefkorn is believed to hails from the Middle German words “kluft” (cliff) and “korn” (grain). In Middle German culture, people with the last name Kloefkorn were said to have lived on a cliff or near to one where wheat was grown. This could explain why the last name is so heavily found in rural areas, like the Midwest.
Another theory suggests that the name Kloefkorn is related to the Dutch town of Klooster-Karn. The name literally translates to “Cloister Grain”, referring to a monastery with a large field of wheat. This could explain the prevalence of the Kloefkorn name in countries such as the Netherlands and Germany.
Despite its recent rarity, the Kloefkorns have a long history, and it seems that the name is much more common today than it was a century ago. Today, the Kloefkorns are proud to be part of the Kloefkorn legacy, and the name remains respected in the small communities where it can still be found.
Variations of the surname Kloefkorn
The surname Kloefkorn is German in origin. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Klofkorn, Kleefkorn, Kloefkorn, Kloefkrann, and Kloefkarrn.
Klofkorn is a direct variant of the surname, with an additional ‘f’ in the spelling. This spelling is much more likely to be seen in records from the earlier German settlements in North America, when many settlers’ names underwent spelling changes in the transition to a new language and culture.
Kleefkorn is also a variant spelling, with an ‘e’ in place of the ‘o’, and is an older spelling which may appear in records from Germany. However, it is also a frequent spelling error which may be seen in later records found in North America as a result of poor handwriting and transcription errors.
Kloefkrann and Kloefkarrn are variants which have an additional ‘r’ and ‘r and ‘r’ respectively. These spellings are much rarer and are likely to have resulted from transcription errors during the German settlement of North America.
In conclusion, the surname Kloefkorn has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Each variant likely has a specific origin and can all be found in records from both Germany and North America.
Famous people with the name Kloefkorn
- Shelley Kloefkorn: Shelley Kloefkorn is a German-American actress and singer. She has appeared in films such as Pleasantville (1998) and Gossip Girl (2007-2010). She has performed as a member of the Cabaret Theatre Company, and as an actor in various stage productions.
- Robert Kloefkorn: Robert Kloefkorn was an American poet, author, and professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was the author of several books of poetry, essays, and fiction. He was a Nebraska State Poet from 2005 to 2009.
- Peggy Kloefkorn: Peggy Kloefkorn is an American author and professor emeritus in English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is the author of two books of poetry and two books of literary criticism.
- George Kloefkorn: George Kloefkorn was a filmmaker who directed documentaries and feature films. He won numerous awards, including an MPSE Golden Reel for Best Documentary Sound in 2002 for his work on Senator Gerald Ford: The Ford Years.
- Mark Kloefkorn: Mark Kloefkorn is an American singer-songwriter best known for his songs for the group, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. His songs have been featured on television shows such as The West Wing and Judging Amy, as well as in movies like Where the Wild Things Are and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
- William Kloefkorn: William Kloefkorn was a poet from Kansas who wrote under the pseudonym William K. He was a lifelong lover of the prairie and its people, and his poetry was influenced by rural life and its culture. His work won numerous awards, including the prestigious Pushcart Prize.