Last Name Kleinman

The surname Kleinman is of German and Jewish origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of the Middle High German word "klein," meaning small, and the Yiddish word "mensch," meaning man or person. Thus, Kleinman can be loosely translated as "little man" in English. Historically, the name was often taken as an occupational surname by those who worked at a small scale, such as a smith or a baker, or it could have been used to indicate physical stature. In the Jewish context, it was also adopted as a surname during the Middle Ages when Jews were required to take on surnames for identification purposes in some regions of Europe. In English-speaking countries, the name Kleinman became more common among Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kleinman

The meaning and origin of the last name Kleinman

The surname Kleinman is of German and Jewish origin, derived from the Middle High German word "klein" which means small, and the Yiddish word "mensch," meaning man or person. Thus, Kleinman can be loosely translated as "little man." Historically, it was a common name among Ashkenazi Jews who originated from regions that are now part of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name evolved over time in various spellings, such as Kleiman, Kleinmann, or Klainman, due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription. It became more widespread globally during the migration waves of Jewish people from Europe to other parts of the world, particularly North America and Israel, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kleinman

The surname Kleinman has a widespread distribution across various parts of the world, with significant concentrations in regions that were historically home to Jewish communities due to its origins from Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish roots. In North America, it is most common among Jews of Eastern European descent living primarily in the United States and Canada. A notable concentration can be found in New York City, particularly in Brooklyn. In Europe, Kleinman is also common among Jews in Germany, Poland, Russia, and other countries with significant Jewish populations prior to World War II. Outside of these areas, it has been spread globally due to migration, especially during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kleinman

The surname Kleinman has several variations and spelling forms due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciations. Here are some of the commonly encountered versions:

1. Kleinman - most common English spelling, derived from German and Jewish names meaning "little man" or "servant of a Christian."
2. Kleinmann - an alternative spelling that is less common in English but more so in other languages such as French and Dutch.
3. Kleyman - another variant with a similar origin as Kleinman, but it is less frequent due to differences in pronunciation and orthography.
4. Clenman - an anglicized version of the name, though it may not be very common or reflective of the original German or Jewish roots.
5. Kliman - a possible Slavic variant of Kleinman, with a different etymology, but still sharing a similar sound and meaning (servant, little man).

Famous people with the last name Kleinman

Notable individuals with the surname Kleinman include:

1. Henry Kleinman (1932-2014), an American screenwriter and film producer who collaborated with director John Sayles on several projects, including "The Brother from Another Planet" and "Matewan."

2. Paul H. Kleinman (born 1957), an American psychologist and professor specializing in cultural psychiatry and cross-cultural mental health. He is the founder and director of the Harvard Cultural Consultation Service.

3. Robert Kleinman (born 1940), an American anthropologist and professor at Brown University known for his research on medical anthropology, biocultural diversity, and indigenous health in Latin America.

4. Saskia Kleinman (born 1968), a British visual artist and filmmaker who works with found footage, animation, and video installation to explore themes of memory, identity, and history.

5. Shabtai Kalmanovitch Kleinman (1920-2010), an Israeli artist and Holocaust survivor whose art focused on the human condition and the trauma of the Holocaust.

Genealogical research on the last name Kleinman

The surname Kleinman originates from Germanic roots, with "Klein" translating to 'small' and "Mann" meaning 'man'. This patronymic surname suggests an original reference to a small man or youth. It is believed that the name was originally borne by a freedom of a vassal named Klemo, whose son or descendant became a man-at-arms. The Kleinmans, as part of Ashkenazi Jewish communities, have a significant presence in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Poland, and Russia. During the 19th century, many Kleinman families emigrated to the United States due to persecution and economic hardship. Today, the largest populations of Kleinmans can be found in the United States, Israel, Canada, and South Africa.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Kleinman"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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