Find out how popular the last name Klane is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Klane.
A variant spelling of the German surname Klein meaning "small" or "little".
Klane, 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 Klane surname is from the 2000 census data.
Klane is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Klane surname appeared 114 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Klane.
The surname Klane is believed to have originated in Germany, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It appears prominently in regions such as Saxony and Bavaria. The name is likely derived from the Middle High German word "klane," meaning "small" or "little," which denotes a possible nickname for a person of short stature or perhaps a younger individual within a community.
Historical records indicate that the name Klane appeared in various forms in manuscripts and civic registers from the late 13th century. An early reference is found in the 1324 chronicle of the town of Augsburg, where a Heinrich Klane is mentioned as a notable citizen. Another early instance is in a 1401 document from Nuremberg listing a merchant named Johannes Klane.
By the 15th century, the surname had spread to adjacent regions and occasionally appeared in variations like Klain or Klaner. One notable figure from the 16th century is Martin Klane, born in 1542, who was a renowned clockmaker in Munich. His works contributed significantly to the development of early horology in the region.
Throughout the centuries, the name Klane continued to surface in various historical accounts. In the late 17th century, a soldier named Wilhelm Klane, born in 1685, served in the army of the Electorate of Saxony and was recognized for his bravery in the Battle of Vienna (1683). During the 18th century, the Klane family name was found in records of artisans and craftsmen in German towns, reflecting its spread among working classes.
In the 19th century, an influential figure with this surname was Friedrich Klane, born in 1803, who was a prominent lawyer and political activist during the revolutions of 1848. His speeches and writings played a significant role in advocating for democratic reforms in Bavaria.
An interesting historical note involves Sophie Klane, born in 1856, who was well known as an early feminist writer and social reformer in Prussia. Her work focused on women’s rights and education, and she published several essays that garnered attention in intellectual circles.
By the 20th century, the surname Klane had reached international recognition with individuals like Herman Klane, born in 1925, who became a distinguished scientist in the field of biochemistry and contributed to significant advancements in medical research.
Overall, the surname Klane carries a rich history marked by various individuals who made notable contributions to society, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of families bearing this name through the centuries.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Klane.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Klane was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 98.25% | 112 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 0.00% | 0 |
Hispanic Origin | (S)% | (S) |
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.
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 Klane was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Klane, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/klane-surname-popularity/">Klane last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Klane last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 12, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/klane-surname-popularity/.
"Klane last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/klane-surname-popularity/. Accessed 12 August, 2025
Klane last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/klane-surname-popularity/.
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.