Surname Leinert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Leinert: What does the surname Leinert mean?
The last name Leinert is of German origin, derived from the Germanic words “lein” meaning “loyal” and “hart” meaning “hardy, brave”. The name literally translates to someone who is bravely loyal. It may have been given to someone who showed exemplary loyalty during a time of need or an individual who was characterized by bravery and steadfast loyalty when defending their family or the homeland.
This surname has been found in records since the 13th century, when it was a predominantly German name. During the 1800's it spread to other countries including Austria, which was a German-speaking province at the time, as well as the Czech Republic and parts of Sweden.
When researching the Leinert surname today, you can find information on prominent individuals who have had that name, as well as reports of various Leinerts over the centuries. The name is often found in documents related to legal proceedings, business dealings, and other forms of official papers.
In a modern context, the last name Leinert generally refers to a person of German descent, or to a person whose ancestry can be traced back to Europe. The Leinert name continues to carry strong connotations of strength, loyalty, and fortitude. People with this surname can take pride in the rich history and character associated with their family’s name.
Order DNA origin analysisLeinert: Where does the name Leinert come from?
The last name Leinert is most common today in Germany. According to records from the Central Office for Genealogy in Germany, it is one of the most widespread surnames there. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Most likely, its origin is from central Germany and it is of Germanic origin.
The meaning of the name likely comes from the Middle High German name “Lainer”- a form of the name “Lahner” or “Lener” meaning a "dweller of the wood". The name can indicate a person who lived in the edge of a forest, or that they depended on the forest for hunting, building, and gathering.
In German, the spelling variants of Leinert include Leinhardt, Lainer, Lenert, and Leonhardt. The name may also have gradually taken on a variety of modified forms depending on local regional customs and dialects.
There are around 3,500 people in Germany today who have the surname Leinert. The exact same spelling of Leinert is also found in the United States, predominantly in the Midwest: Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Most people who have the last name Leinert likely descended from the same family. Many of the Leinerts in America likely trace their roots back to German immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In sum, the last name Leinert is most common in Germany, but is also found across Europe and the United States today. The name has likely been modified in various forms over the years, but it probably derived from the Middle High German "Lainer", indicating someone who lived close to a forest.
Variations of the surname Leinert
The surname Leinert is believed to be derived from the German personal name Leonhard, which is composed of two elements: the Latin given name Leo, meaning Lion, and Hard, which means strong or brave.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Leinert include Leonhardt, Lienert, Leunert, Leonert, Lenerth, Lenert, Lienhard, Lionhard, Lionhardt, Linnert, etc.
The name originates in German-speaking countries, but it is also found in other places, most notably in the United States and in Sweden. It is particularly common in the Rhineland region of Germany.
In the United States, the variants of the surname Leinert are commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia. The name can also be found throughout the Midwest, New England, and the South.
In the Swedish language, variants of the surname Leinert include Lionhartz, Lionhartz, Leonhardz, Lyonehartz, Lonehartz, and Lonhartz.
In France, a variant of the name is spelled Leonhard and can be found in Lorraine and Alsace.
In Poland, the variant spelling of Leinert is spelled Leinert and can be found in southeastern Poland.
In Denmark, a variant of the name Leinert is spelled Leonhard, which is pronounced LIE-uhn-hart or LEE-uhn-hart.
In Switzerland, a variant of Leinert is spelled Lienhardt and can be found throughout the country.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Leinert, all of which have different ways of being pronounced and spelled in different countries and regions.
Famous people with the name Leinert
- Michael Leinert: German former footballer who played as a defender, now currently a trainer in the youth teams of 1860 Munich.
- Tracy Leinert: American National Outdoor Track and Field Champion.
- Andreas Leinert: German civil engineer.
- Helmut Leinert: German physicist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Potsdam.
- Fanie Leinert: South African rugby union player who played as a flanker in the early 20th century.
- Neil Leinert: American former professional basketball player.
- Karel Leinert: Dutch chess master.
- Milena Leinert: German actress and singer.
- Jef Leinert: Belgian cycling journalist.
- Kaie Leinert: Estonian cyclist who competed in the 1962 Summer Olympics.
- Arvo Leinert: Estonian artist, sculptor, painter, and poet.