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

Kleckner, 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 Kleckner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kleckner in America

Kleckner is the 11585th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kleckner surname appeared 2,713 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Kleckner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kleckner 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 Kleckner

The surname Kleckner has its origins in the German language, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the southern regions of modern-day Germany, particularly in the areas around Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

The name Kleckner likely derives from the German word "Kleck," which refers to a small stain or spot. This could suggest that the name initially referred to an individual with a distinctive physical characteristic, such as a birthmark or a freckle. Alternatively, it may have been associated with a particular occupation, possibly related to dyeing or painting.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kleckner can be found in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where a certain Hans Kleckner was mentioned in a local census record from the late 15th century. The name also appears in various historical documents from the 16th and 17th centuries in the surrounding regions, often spelled as "Kleckner," "Kleckener," or "Kleckner."

Notable individuals who bore the surname Kleckner include Johann Kleckner, a renowned clockmaker from Nuremberg who lived in the late 16th century and was renowned for his intricate and precise timepieces. Another notable figure was Katharina Kleckner, a midwife from the village of Biberach in Baden-Württemberg, who gained recognition for her exceptional skills and compassion during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, a family of Kleckners settled in the town of Mainz, where they established a successful business in the textile trade. One of the most prominent members of this family was Friedrich Kleckner (1732-1801), a highly respected merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the local community.

During the 19th century, several Kleckners immigrated to the United States, seeking new opportunities and a better life. One of the earliest recorded arrivals was Johann Kleckner, who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1830s and worked as a farmer. Another notable individual was Wilhelm Kleckner (1845-1923), a German-born artist and painter who gained recognition for his landscapes and portraiture after relocating to New York City.

Throughout its history, the surname Kleckner has been associated with various occupations and walks of life, from artisans and tradesmen to academics and professionals. While the exact origins and meanings may have evolved over time, the name continues to carry a rich heritage rooted in the German culture and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kleckner

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

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 Kleckner 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 Kleckner 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 Kleckner was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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