KLEE Origin of surname
KLEE, KLEEMANN , KLEIMAN , KLEIMANN , KLEEBERG
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a Gentile or vernacular personal name. These Jewish family names are derived from translations or 'kinnu'im' ("secular equivalents") of sacred names.
Literally "clover" in German, the family name Klee is derived from Kalonymos. The Greek word for "beautiful", Kalonymos was originally a personal name. Jews may have taken it as an equivalent of the Hebrew Shem Tov ("good name"). Greek names became popular with Jews during the Hellenistic period when many of them also adopted the Greek way of life in the 3rd century BCE, for example Johanan-Horkenos, Yannai-Alexander, Judah-Aristobulos and Shlomit-Alexandra. This reflects their wish both to maintain their tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. Several spellings and variants of the Greek Kalonymos are recorded. In its original form, it is first documented as a Jewish name in 8th century Italy, and in central Europe in the 10th century with the Jewish courtier and friend of emperor Otto II, Kalonymos the Jew. The first Latin variant was Kalonymus, which produced Calmus, the Italian forms Calo and Calimani, and the French calot. Central and Eastern Europe developed names based on Kalman/Calman, adding the patronymic suffixes (to indicate descent from a male ancestor) "-so(h)n" and "-vitz/-witz" (German), and "-vic/-vitch" (Slavic) and variants such as Kleimann and Klee. Klee and Kleemann are recorded as Jewish family names in late 18th century Alsace.
Distinguished bearers of names in this group include the German lawyer and Zionist leader Alfred Klee (1875-1943), and the German-born American banker Wilhelm Kleemann (1869-1969).
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a Gentile or vernacular personal name. These Jewish family names are derived from translations or 'kinnu'im' ("secular equivalents") of sacred names.
Literally "clover" in German, the family name Klee is derived from Kalonymos. The Greek word for "beautiful", Kalonymos was originally a personal name. Jews may have taken it as an equivalent of the Hebrew Shem Tov ("good name"). Greek names became popular with Jews during the Hellenistic period when many of them also adopted the Greek way of life in the 3rd century BCE, for example Johanan-Horkenos, Yannai-Alexander, Judah-Aristobulos and Shlomit-Alexandra. This reflects their wish both to maintain their tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. Several spellings and variants of the Greek Kalonymos are recorded. In its original form, it is first documented as a Jewish name in 8th century Italy, and in central Europe in the 10th century with the Jewish courtier and friend of emperor Otto II, Kalonymos the Jew. The first Latin variant was Kalonymus, which produced Calmus, the Italian forms Calo and Calimani, and the French calot. Central and Eastern Europe developed names based on Kalman/Calman, adding the patronymic suffixes (to indicate descent from a male ancestor) "-so(h)n" and "-vitz/-witz" (German), and "-vic/-vitch" (Slavic) and variants such as Kleimann and Klee. Klee and Kleemann are recorded as Jewish family names in late 18th century Alsace.
Distinguished bearers of names in this group include the German lawyer and Zionist leader Alfred Klee (1875-1943), and the German-born American banker Wilhelm Kleemann (1869-1969).