Surname Bleich - Meaning and Origin

Bleich: What does the surname Bleich mean?

The last name Bleich is of German and Ashkenazic Jewish (Eastern European) origin. The name Bleich is derived from the German word "blass" or "bleich", meaning "pale" or "pallor". It is thought that the name was originally given to describe someone with fair skin or hair.

During the Middle Ages, only certain people were allowed to have last names. It wasn't uncommon for someone to be given a name based on a physical description or trait, and this could explain how the last name Bleich came to be.

In some cases, the last name Bleich could also be associated with the many German-Jewish communities that flourished during the Middle Ages, specifically in southern Germany and Austria. It was often customary for Jews to adopt surnames to mark their Jewish identity since they often weren’t allowed to use Christian last names. In this case, the name Bleich could refer to being a part of the Jewish culture.

Regardless of its origin, today, Bleich is a common last name among German and Jewish families from across the world. The name Bleich is still quite popular today and serves as a reminder of its history.

Bleich: Where does the name Bleich come from?

The last name Bleich is a common and long-standing surname, having been around since at least the 15th century. It is known to have originated in Germany likely in the region of Bavaria. Today, the name can still be found mostly in Germany and its surrounding countries but has spread to other places around the world.

In the United States, it is more of a rare surname, having recently appeared in the 2000 US census where there were only 117 entries. However, the name is more common among Jewish families in the US, as it's a variant of the more commonly found name Bloch.

In Canada, there are even fewer entries, only 57 last names listed as Bleich in the most recent census, but this number may be inaccurate due to the fact that Bleich often gets misspelled as Blaich or Bliech.

It is also a somewhat common name in Israel, especially in the area of Jerusalem. There are over a thousand entries for the last name Bleich in Israeli records with high concentrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

No matter where the name may be found, the last name Bleich is a significant part of many people's history and a reminder of a long history and legacy.

Variations of the surname Bleich

The surname Bleich is derived from the Middle High German term “bleihe” and the old German term “bleiche” both meaning a bleach meadow or a pasture where bleaching was done. The typical English spelling “Bleich” is derived from the Old Germanic term “bleich,” which means “ pale.”

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bleich include the following:

• Bleicher

• Bleichmann

• Blaiche

• Blaich

• Bleichert

• Bleiches

• Bleick

• Bleichner

• Blaych

• Blayche

• Blaeych

• Blaycher

• Blaier

• Bleichem

• Bleichle

• Bleichner

• Bleick

• Bleiker

• Bleish

• Blick

• Blohm

• Bleicher

• Bleiker

• Blich

• Blicha

• Blick

• Blieck

• Bliek

• Bliekert

• Blyck

• Blyk

• Blickert

• Bleeker

• Bleig

• Bleike

• Bloch

• Bloh

The German versions of the surname Bleich often have a double consonant, such as in “Blaiche” and “Blaich.” Variants are also seen with extra vowels which help with the pronunciation, such as “Bleichert” and “Blyck.” Other variants may appear with the letter “e” replaced with “i”, such as in “Blick” and “Blich.”

The surnames Bleich and Bleicher have many variations, making it hard to trace the family without much more information. It is important to use spelling variations or spellings from different regions when researching genealogical records to ensure the accuracy of the information.

Famous people with the name Bleich

• Eliza Bleich: an American rabbi and the first Open Orthodox woman to become a full-time congregational rabbi.
• Daniel Bleich: an American professor of Religion and Jewish Studies who specializes in the study of classical rabbinic literature.
• Sharon Bleich: American actress and writer who appeared in television shows such as All My Children and Happy Days.
• Rob Bleich: a competition director, show manager and production specialist for Action Sports Events.
• Jeffrey Bleich: an American attorney, diplomat and former ambassador to Australia.
• Mike Bleich: founder and former chairman of the health care software company Eclipsys Corporation.
• Mara Purl Bleich: an American actress and singer.
• Stephen Bleich: an American professional basketball referee.
• Daniel Bleich-Weisz: an Argentinian filmmaker and film editor.
• Greg Bleich: Professor of Genetics and Cell Biology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Other surnames

BleicherBleichertBleichnerBleichrodtBleick