Surname Van Clief - Meaning and Origin
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Van Clief: What does the surname Van Clief mean?
The last name Van Clief is a Dutch origin name, which essentially translates to mean “son of Cliff”. It is quite a common surname with large concentrations of the family spread around the Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of Europe.
The surname is thought to have come from the Middle Dutch name Cliever or Clieverd, which translates to “cliff”, or “protector”. This could be a reference to an ancestor who either lived by a cliff, or was a protector of some kind such as a soldier, or constable.
It’s also possible that the last name was descriptive of someone’s physical features. For example, someone with a strong jaw, or prominent chin, might be considered to have a “cliff-like” profile.
Today, there are many different coat of arms associated with those bearing the surname Van Clief. The most recognisable one is of a cliff with a tower and two French lilies along its side – representing strength and grace – against a blue background.
Overall, the meaning of the last name Van Clief highlights both physical traits and ancestral origins, and the accompanying coat of arms provides further insight into the family’s lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Clief: Where does the name Van Clief come from?
The surname Van Clief is primarily found in the United States, with its earliest records found in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in 1620. It was brought to the US by Dutch immigrants from the medieval Dutch province of Gelderland, whose name, Van Clief, means "from Clief". Today, most people who carry the surname Van Clief are descended from those original immigrants who settled in the New World more than four centuries ago.
Van Clief is most commonly found along the eastern seaboard--in states like Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These states were the primary destinations of Dutch settlers traveling to the colonies. At one time, Virginia had the highest concentration of Van Cliefs, with many of them settling in the northern and eastern sections of the state.
Today, the surname Van Clief is found throughout the United States and Canada, with significant populations in Mississippi and Texas. Additionally, some families have migrated to England, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Above all, the Van Clief surname is a testament to America's deep Atlantic history and rich multi-cultural background. Its presence on our eastern shoreline serves as a reminder of the vast role immigrants and migration have played in our Nation's history and development.
Variations of the surname Van Clief
The origin of the surname Van Clief is a Dutch origin and it dates back to pre-medieval times when Dutch families began using a system of hereditary surnames. It is derived from the Old Dutch words “claef” or “cleef” which both mean “cliff” or “rock face.” The family name is known to have a variety of spelling variations, such as Van Cleef, Clief, van Clief, and VanCleef.
The Van Clief surname has evolved over the years, resulting in a variety of spelling variants that include VanCleef, Van Clief, VanKleef, VanClyf, and Van Cleef. In some cases, the spelling was changed to Van Clief, in order to fit in more easily with Dutch society. Other variants of the name include VanKyl, Vanklyf, VanClyf, Van Clyf, and Clief.
The Clief variant of Van Clief is a more modern version of the name and is typically found in the United States. This version is usually spelled as Clief, without the “Van” prefix, and is particularly common among those of Dutch descent in the United States.
The Van Clief family also has several alternate surnames that have the same origins. These surnames can include VanKyl, Vanklyf, VanClyf, Van Clyf, Pleshe, Pleshey, and Plish. All of these surnames are derived from the Old Dutch words “claef” or “cleef” and are attributed with the same meaning, which is “cliff or rock face.”
In summary, the surname Van Clief has evolved over the years, resulting in a variety of spellings, variants, and alternate surnames. These include Van Cleef, VanKleef, VanClyf, Van Cleef, VanKyl, Vanklyf, VanClyf, Van Clyf, Clief, Pleshe, Pleshey, and Plish.
Famous people with the name Van Clief
- John Van Clief: John Van Clief is an American actor, director, writer, and producer who has had a successful career in film, television, and theatre. He has starred in many films including Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Jackal, and Purple Rain.
- Willem van Clief: Willem van Clief was a Dutch chess master best known for publishing the Handboek voor den Schaker (1844), a popular opening treatise on chess.
- James Van Clief: James Van Clief was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of the Navy under President John Adams.
- Simeon Van Clief: Simeon Van Clief was a United States Representative from New York.
- Johannes van Clief: Johannes van Clief is a Dutch poet, translator and journalist.
- Sam Van Clief: Sam Van Clief is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Van Clief & Company, a private investment and management firm.