Surname Kleine-Besten - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kleine-Besten: What does the surname Kleine-Besten mean?
The last name Kleine-Besten is a German surname. It is derived from two words - "Klein" meaning small, and "Besten" meaning best. It likely has a literal meaning of "the best of the small", although this phrase is not used in the German language.
Most likely, the name evolved from a family's cultivation of an expertise in a specialized field, a skill that was deemed best amongst small others. It was a testament to their hard work, dedication and excellence within a particular area of specialty.
Today, those with the last name Kleine-Besten can be found in Germany, United States, Canada and Australia. Those who trace their ancestry back to Germany often have a deep respect for their heritage and can trace their origins back to a specific region within Germany.
Many Kleine-Bestens continue to hold a devotion to their family's legacy by finding unique ways to differentiate themselves within their own field of expertise. Although the literal meaning of the name may have changed over generations, the sentiment is still the same – to be the best of the small.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Besten: Where does the name Kleine-Besten come from?
The last name Klein-Besten is commonly seen in Germany today. The German language is so full of long, descriptive names like Kleine-Besten that it’s easy to assume that the name originates from Germany, but the origins of the name are actually from the Netherlands. It is thought that the name Klein-Besten began as an occupational name referring to a small-scale farmer or business owner, with the literal translation meaning “little-bettor” or “small-scale”.
The name is also found in some parts of Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland, although it is more common in Germany. In Germany, it is spelled "Klein-Besten" while in the Netherlands, it is often seen spelled as "Kleine-Besten". It is interesting to note that the name Kleine-Besten is often seen written with a hyphen in the middle, but that this is not always required in Germany.
Klein-Besten is a very popular name in Germany and is farthest reaching in some areas of the South, as well as the East Germany region. In the city of Berlin alone, there are over 9,000 individuals with the last name Klein-Besten as of 2020.
Though the name’s origin was likely once a reference to farmers or small business owners, today Klein-Besten is typically seen a surname for a normal family. It is also seen as a sign of having long ties to German or Dutch ancestry, and of having a connection to the region in Europe.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Besten
The surname Kleine-Besten is of German origin and is derived from the greatly popular nickname Besten, which means "the best one". This surname is also known as Kleine Besten in English, and as Kleinebesten and Kleinbesten in the Low German language.
The meaning of the name can also be translated to "Little Best" or "Little Besten" in English. It can also be written as Kleinebeste, Kleine Beste, Kleine Baste, Kleine Basten, Kleine Beston, and Kleinebästen in various dialects of the German language.
The surname is also found in other spellings such as Kleine-Besten-Meier, Kleine-Besten-Müller, Kleine-Besten-Wolf, Kleine-Besten-von Rosenberg, Kleine-Besten-von Ahrend, and Kleine-Besten-von Neubauer.
Kleine-besten is also used as a patronymic surname. A patronymic surname is derived from the father's personal name, and as such, the Kleine-Besten surname can also be found in various spellings such as Kleine-Beste-son, Kleine-Beste-sen, Kleine-Beste-ssen, Kleine-Beste-sson, Kleine-Beste-sens, Kleine-Beste-ssens, Kleine-Beste-ssons, Kleine-Bester-son, Kleine-Bester-sen, Kleine-Bester-ssen, Kleine-Bester-sson, Kleine-Bester-sens, Kleine-Bester-ssens, and Kleine-Bester-ssons.
The Kleine-Besten surname is also commonly found in Dutch and Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark, but spelled slightly differently. In these countries, the name can sometimes be seen as Kleeenz-Besten, Kleeenz-Beston, Kleeenz-Beztan, Kleeenz-Bezstan, and Kleienz-Beston.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Besten
- Tina Kleine-Besten, a German actress who has appeared in films and TV series such as Der Bergdoktor, Der Alte, and Rosenheim Cops.
- Max Kleine-Besten, a German actress and photographer known for his portrait-photographs of famous faces and for his regular contributions to magazines and newspapers such as Vogue, Elle, and Freundin.
- Helmut Kleine-Besten, a German theater director, writer, and actor who has appeared in numerous films, television series, and stage productions.
- Andrea Kleine-Besten, a German novelist, painter, and graphic artist. She has written six novels, all of which have been translated into various languages.
- Christian Kleine-Besten, a German architect, actor, and politician. He has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2005.
- Jan Kleine-Besten, a German entrepreneur, businessman, and investor. He is the founder and CEO of MoWoTech, an Internet services company.
- Johann Kleine-Besten, a German sculptor and professor of sculpture at the Berlin University of the Arts. His sculptures are located in the National Gallery in Berlin and on various university campuses.
- Kate Kleine-Besten, a German actress who has appeared in films such as Don’t Turn Around and has a number of TV and stage credits to her name.
- Silke Kleine-Besten, a German TV director, producer, and screenwriter. She has worked on series such as Berlin, Berlin, and Asphalt Cowboys, amongst others.
- Valery Kleine-Besten, a German theater director, actor, writer, composer, and designer. He has been a recurring collaborator of the author and theater director Helmut Kleine-Besten.