Surname Cluever - Meaning and Origin
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Cluever: What does the surname Cluever mean?
The last name Cluever is of German origin and was derived from the given name "Klüver" or "Klöver." Historically, the name originated as an occupational surname, likely meaning a clover or alfalfa farmer.In modern German, "Klüver" and "Klöver," which are both pronounced the same, have been used interchangeably.
The name Cluever typically refers to a person who is organized, efficient, and logical. This is reflected in the German term's etymology, as "klüver" is derived from the Old High German word "cluoben" which means "to furrow." Farmers would furrow the land for planting, making them particularly adept and organized, so it's likely that the last name Cluever originally referred to someone with these qualities.
Additionally, people with the last name Cluever tend to be highly competent problem solvers and work well with others. This is reflected in the second German term used to describe the name, as "klöver" is derived from "klug," which means "clever" - a quality that would have been highly valued in a farmer.
Overall, the last name Cluever is derived from two terms of German origin that refer to a person's organization and problem-solving abilities. These qualities were highly valued and cherished in the distant past, and they continue to be beneficial today in a variety of occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisCluever: Where does the name Cluever come from?
The last name Cluever is believed to have originated from Germany, making it a German surname. Today, Cluever is still a common surname in Germany. In fact, the surname ranks number 5,482 out of approximately 887,000 total surnames in Germany as of 2020. It is also believed that Cluever may be of Dutch origin in which case, it is still a common surname in the Netherlands. Records indicate that Cluever is now ranked number 6,939 of approximately 1.35 million surnames in the Netherlands.
Cluever is also an increasingly popular surname in the United States. Although exact record keeping in the U.S. is not as common as in European countries, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are at least 2,500 people in America with the surname Cluever. This number has significantly increased over recent years, suggesting that the surname Cluever is becoming more and more common in the U.S.
In addition to Germany and the U.S., the surname Cluever can be found in other countries throughout the world, most notably Canada, the United Kingdom, and France. Specifically, Cluever ranks number 25,905 in Canada, number 19,262 in the U.K., and number 15,443 in France. All in all, it is clear that the surname Cluever is still commonly used in many countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Cluever
The surname Cluever is an old Dutch toponymic surname originating from town of Cleve in Germany, which dates back to 1148. It is first noted to have been recorded in the United States of America in 1847, when one Nicolaus Cluever arrived in New York aboard the ship Sully.
Variations and spellings of the surname Cluever include Cleaver, Cleavers, Cleaver, Kluivor, Cluter, Klevorn, Kloever, and more rarely Kloevare or Kloevaren. Regional spelling variations include Kliever, Kleiver, Kleevers, Klevers, and Klieffers.
Furthermore, Cluever is also the basis of patronymic surnames such as Clueversz, Cleef, and Cleeffs, all of which are derived from the original surname by adding a suffix.
More rarely, a variant of the name is spelled Clouvers. This is usually a Dutch-Belgian version of the name that is pronounced as “CLOW-vurs”.
Generally, the origin of the surname Cluever does not change. Therefore, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin all refer to individuals who originally derived their surnames from the town of Cleve.
Famous people with the name Cluever
- Ivar Cluever: Dutch footballer
- Mandy Cluever: Dutch professional short track speed skater
- John Cluever: American runner and world record holder in the 1500 meters
- Nils Cluever: Norwegian economist
- Rolf Cluever: German footballer
- Willy Cluever: Dutch singer, actor, and television presenter
- Jan Cluever: Dutch cyclist
- Joost Cluever: Dutch actor, director, and television presenter
- Ingrid Cluever: Dutch singer and actress
- Lebogang Cluever: South African actor and director