Surname Van Cleve - Meaning and Origin
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Van Cleve: What does the surname Van Cleve mean?
The surname Van Cleve is of Dutch origin, and is derived from the Dutch word "cleef" meaning a "cliff or rocky region". The name is thought to refer to someone who lived in an area with rocky outcroppings or topographical features. It may also be a nickname for someone who lived in or near a "cleef" or who was associated with such areas in some way.
Variations of the name include Van Cleef, Van Cleeve, Cleve, and Claeve. By the 16th century, it was a common surname in both the Netherlands and Belgium. It is now found throughout Europe and the United States, and has been anglicized variously according to regional dialect or immigrant preferences.
The Van Cleve family has a proud history in the Netherlands, and many famous relatives left their mark on the nation's history. Cornelis Cornelissen van Cleef founded the first Dutch-owned trading posts in India in the early 17th century; the brothers Jan and Cornelius Van Cleve played major roles in the Dutch Golden Age; and Jan Frans Van Cleve was a renowned portrait painter.
Nowadays, the surname is still common in the Netherlands and the United States, and many of its bearers are highly accomplished individuals in various fields. Carrying on the proud name of Van Cleve undoubtedly requires having certain qualities, such as a willingness to work hard, having great endurance and strength of spirit, and having a strong sense of independence.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Cleve: Where does the name Van Cleve come from?
The surname Van Cleve is not widely used today. It is most commonly found in Belgium, a small country in western Europe, where it is thought to have originated in the late 1500s. It is also fairly common in the Netherlands, Germany, and other parts of Europe, as well as in South Africa and the United States.
In the United States, Van Cleve family members have most notably been known for their important contributions to early education in the state of Ohio. For example, Cephro Van Cleve, born around 1790, was one of the first teachers to provide education for African American children. In the mid-1800s, Vesta Van Cleve, daughter of Cephro, was a strong advocate for public education in Ohio.
Van Cleve families are still living in Ohio today, especially in the area around Dayton and Xenia, where the surname has been present since the 1700s. There are also some Van Cleve families living in other states, particularly Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, and California. The 21st century version of Van Cleve is usually a variant of the spelling, such as Van Cleef or Van Cleave. With the right research, the Van Cleve surname can often be traced to a few areas in the United States.
Variations of the surname Van Cleve
The Van Cleve surname has a variety of spellings and regional variants. These include Van Cleef, Van Cleeve, Van Cleef, Van Cleve, and Van Clevee.
The Van Cleve surname is of Dutch origin, and has variations commonly seen in Northern Europe. It is believed to be derived from the Middle Dutch word 'cleve,' meaning a 'mountain or rock cleft.' It was likely first used a descriptive nickname given to a person who lived near a mountain or in a cleft, or who had a similar shaped physical feature.
Variations of Van Cleve are found across Europe, with Van Cleef found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of the North Sea Rhine area. In Germany, the spelling of Van Cleve is often seen as Van Kleve or Van Kleeve. In neighboring France, the surname can be seen as Vancleve.
In the United States, Van Cleve is a common surname among American families of Dutch ancestry. As the Van Cleve name spread, variations emerged. One example is the Americanized spelling of Van Cleave, as seen in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
In the days of earlier immigration, Van Cleve spelling variations could have been caused by a clerk or official at a port of entry, or errors in a local census. Today, many people with the surname Van Cleve believe they are related to one another, while others retain the spelling of their immigrant ancestor's original spelling.
Famous people with the name Van Cleve
- Calliope Van Cleve: fashion and lifestyle blogger.
- Mary Van Cleve: first woman in the United States to become an assistant judge.
- Jessica Van Cleve: contemporary artist.
- Dave Van Cleve: Professional motorcycle freestyle rider.
- Iman van der Cleve: Dutch-born graphic designer and illustrator.
- Joe VanCleve: award-winning musician and composer.
- John Van Cleve: American Revolutionary War hero.
- Augustus Van Cleve: American lawyer and politician.
- Cameron Van Cleve: modern jazz bassist and composer.
- Gordon Van Cleve: pianist and songwriter.
- Cat Van Cleve: award-winning television producer and director.
- Bill Van Cleve: three-time Emmy Award nominated screenwriter.
- Barbara Van Cleve: professional jazz pianist.
- Renee Van Cleve: award-winning opera singer.
- Lowell Van Cleve: former United States Senator from Florida.