Kleid

Kleid is a German occupational surname for a tailor, derived from the Old High German word kleid meaning "garment, clothing". The name thus referred to someone who made or sold clothes, a common trade in medieval German-speaking regions. Occupational surnames became prevalent in German-speaking areas during the late Middle Ages, when the growing population required additional means of identification beyond given names.

The Kleid surname is a typical example of a occupational surname originating from the element kleid. It belongs to a class of names like Schneider (tailor), Weber (weaver), and Mueller (miller), which are widespread in Germany. Variants of the name include Kleidt, Kleite, or diminutive forms, though these are less common.

Notable Bearers

One notable bearer of the surname is Neil Kleid (born 1975), an American cartoonist and graphic novelist. He received a Xeric Award in 2003 for his graphic novella Ninety Candles and has written for major comics publishers such as Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Image Comics. Among his works are Brownsville, a graphic novel about the organized crime ring Murder, Inc., and The Big Kahn, which explores themes of family and faith. Kleid also adapted the classic Spider-Man storyline Kraven's Last Hunt into prose in 2014.

Distribution

Today, the Kleid surname is most commonly found in Germany and the United States, with smaller populations in Austria and Switzerland. In the U.S., many bearers trace their ancestry to German immigrants who arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Meaning: "garment, clothing" (occupational name for a tailor)
• Origin: German
• Type: Occupational surname
• Usage regions: Germany, United States, Austria, Switzerland