Find out how popular the last name Clein is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Clein.

Clein, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Clein surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clein in America

Clein is the 107134th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clein surname appeared 166 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Clein.

We can also compare 2010 data for Clein to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Clein

The surname CLEIN is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages during the 13th century. This name is believed to have derived from the German word "klein," which translates to "small" or "little." The earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in various medieval records and documents from regions such as Bavaria and Saxony.

One of the earliest known bearers of the CLEIN surname was Hans Clein, a prominent German sculptor and woodcarver who lived from approximately 1480 to 1545. His intricate works can still be admired in several churches and cathedrals across Germany, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship associated with this name.

In the 16th century, the CLEIN surname gained further prominence with the renowned painter and engraver, Hans Sebald Beham, who was also known as Hans Clein. Born in Nuremberg in 1500, Beham was a leading figure of the German Renaissance and is renowned for his innovative printmaking techniques and intricate allegorical compositions.

Another notable figure bearing the CLEIN surname was Johann Friedrich Clein, a German composer and organist who lived from 1661 to 1736. His contributions to the baroque music tradition and his skill as an organist earned him widespread recognition during his lifetime.

The CLEIN surname also has ties to various places and locations throughout Germany. For instance, the village of Kleinberg, located in the state of Hesse, is derived from the German word "klein," suggesting a possible connection to the surname's origins.

In the 19th century, the CLEIN name gained further recognition with the life and works of Johann Gottfried Clein, a German philologist and educator who lived from 1808 to 1883. His contributions to the field of classical studies and his work as a teacher and professor at various universities left a lasting impact on the academic community.

Throughout its rich history, the CLEIN surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including artisans, musicians, scholars, and more. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to hold significance in various parts of Germany and beyond, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this German surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clein

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Clein.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Clein was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Clein has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Clein was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Clein, please contact us.

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