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Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • German : topographic name from Slavic klink, a diminutive of klin ‘nook’, ‘corner’, ‘wedge’.
  • German : topographic name (see Klinge 1, 2).
  • German : habitational name from places named Klink or Klinke in Rhineland, Mecklenburg, Silesia, or East Prussia.
  • German : metonymic occupational name for a maker of door fittings or for a border or customs officer, from Middle High German, Middle Low German klinke ‘barrier’, also ‘latch’, ‘door handle’.
  • Dutch : metonymic occupational name for a maker of iron door latches and the like, from Middle Dutch clinke ‘bolt’, ‘strap’, ‘door handle’. Compare 5 above.

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