Origin of the Kleist Surname
The Kleist surname is of European origin (European). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #18,166 with 1,532 Americans (0.52 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Kleist traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Kleist |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #18,166 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,532 |
| Per 100K People | 0.52 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of Kleist
Among 1,532 Americans named Kleist, the largest self-reported group is White (96.08%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Kleist Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Kleist moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Kleist family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Kleist Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Kleist Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Kleist
- ✓ The Kleist coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Kleist families live today
- ✓ Notable Kleist bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Kleist fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Kleist
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Kleist.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Kleist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kleist
Top Surnames Starting with K
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter K, ranked by population.
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