Surname Lindlein - Meaning and Origin
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Lindlein: What does the surname Lindlein mean?
The last name Lindlein derives from the German language and is of locational origin. It is found predominantly in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The name refers to someone who is from a place named Linteln, which is located in Lower Saxony in northern Germany. This designation is likely derived from the Old Saxon language and made up of two elements: the Old Saxon word “linta” meaning “clearing” or “forest” and the German suffix “-el” indicating a location such as a town or a village.
The name Lindlein appears to be an altered spelling, based on phonetic alterations, of the name Lintlein. The name also appears to be an occupational name for someone who lived near a body of water and collected clay. This is indicated by the Old Germanic word “lehn” meaning “a clay meadow”.
Interestingly, the earliest known record of a Lindlein is of a specific individual, named Niemannus Lindelini, who was a mayor and Catholic priest in the village of Sterzhausen near Linteln in the 11th century. He served several members of the German nobility, including the Emperor Lothar II of Supplinburg, the Duke of Saxony, and the Abbot of Fulda.
The name Lindlein has been passed down many generations to today, with the name being found in various forms across Europe such as Lyntwell, Lintwell, Luntzel, and Luntellin.
Order DNA origin analysisLindlein: Where does the name Lindlein come from?
The last name Lindlein is primarily found in Germany today. It is mainly concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in the country. The name first appeared in Germany in 1180, when Wernher Lindlein is recorded in the archives of the code of Grayson. Through the centuries since, the name has spread across Germany and other parts of Europe. According to the German Genealogy database, there are still over 2,500 people bearing the Lindlein surname in Germany today.
The Lindlein family has a rich and diverse history and stories. Many of them have ties to the church, with some dating back to the 1500s. Many Lindleins also came to the United States and other countries due to Nazi persecution in the 1930s and 1940s. They settled in many places outside of Germany, from the United Kingdom and France to the United States and South America.
Examples of notable people with the last name Lindlein include Rainer Lindlein, a German historian; Gisele Lindlein, a contemporary American author; and Rudolf Lindlein, a famous German artist.
The Lindlein surname may be less common today than in past centuries, but it still has a presence in German society. It is an important part of German heritage and has helped to shape the country's culture and identity.
Variations of the surname Lindlein
The surname Lindlein is also known as Lindalein, Lindein, Lindblain, Lindelain and Lindlaine. All of these surnames are variants of the main surname Lindlein, which can be traced back to early Germanic roots.
Lindlein in its original spelling is derived from the late Germanic personal name Linde, from the Old High German linta and lintila. It is derived from the word linta, meaning ‘tender’. In some instances, the name Lindlein is also derived from the Old High German hlinta, which can be translated to ‘friend’.
The German word 'lein' or 'lynn' has several other spellings, including -lin, -lein, linn, linne, linnert and linhart. As such, many spellings of Lindlein have also taken on these other spellings. These spellings are: Lindelyn, Lindalin, Lindlin, Lyndlin, Lyndlinn, Lindlynn, Lindlinn, Linnert, and Linhart. In addition, there are variations of the name in other countries, such as: Lynlien in the Netherlands; Lindhain in Sweden; and Lendlein in Denmark.
The surname Lindlein can be found in records as early as the 13th century, when it first appeared in the city of Munich. Since then, it has been used in records around the world, including in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the U.S. Lindlein is still a common surname today, both as its original spelling and in its variants.
Famous people with the name Lindlein
- Mathias Lindlein: German mathematician and engineer whose works included differential geometry and linear algebra.
- Ashley Lindlein: American film producer and actress.
- Johannes Lindlein: German organist and composer who wrote numerous romantic works for the organ.
- Friedrich Lindlein: German geographer who studied land use and agriculture and the effects of climate change.
- Theo Lindlein: German historian and professor, author of several books on European history.
- Karl-Heinz Lindlein: German actor, director, and producer who has appeared in a number of films and television programs.
- Willi Lindlein: German art historian and collector who wrote extensively on the history of art.
- Hans-Joachim Lindlein: German theatre and opera director whose notable works included Verdi's Don Carlos and Wagner's Parsifal.
- Walther Lindlein: German politician who served as mayor of Berlin from 1921-1933.
- Adolf Lindlein: German aviation pioneer who invented and tested the world's first aircraft powered by a gasoline engine.