Klein
The origin of the surname Klein
Klein means “small” or “short.”
What kind of surname is Klein?
As a descriptive surname (or nickname name), the surname Klein arose from a personal characteristic — a physical trait, a quality of temperament, or a distinguishing feature of its first bearer. Communities have always coined nicknames, and in the age before fixed surnames these vivid, affectionate or teasing labels — referring to hair colour, stature, complexion or character — frequently became hereditary. Descriptive surnames give an unusually human glimpse of an ancestor, hinting at how they looked or how they were regarded by the people around them.
How German surnames work
German surnames became fixed mainly between the 12th and 16th centuries and are strongly occupational (Müller, “miller”; Schmidt, “smith”; Schneider, “tailor”) and descriptive (Klein, “small”; Braun, “brown”), alongside patronymic and locational names. Müller, Schmidt and Schneider are among the most common surnames in the German-speaking world, reflecting how universal those trades once were.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Klein mean?
The surname Klein means Small, short. Klein means “small” or “short.”
Where does the surname Klein come from?
Klein is a surname of German origin.
What kind of surname is Klein?
Klein is a descriptive surname, originally describing a physical or personal characteristic.
How common is the surname Klein in the United States?
Klein is the 359th most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 79,685 people.