Surname Lindscheidt - Meaning and Origin

Lindscheidt: What does the surname Lindscheidt mean?

The last name Lindscheidt is of German origin and is derived from the combination of two distinct words. The first part, 'Lins', is an old German variant of 'Lenz', meaning 'lion'. The second part, 'Scheidt', is derived from the Middle High German word 'schide' which means 'division' or 'separation'.

Combined, the name Lindscheidt can generally be interpreted as meaning 'separation from the lion'. This could be a description of someone who is strong-willed and determined in their actions, possessing the courage of a lion even as they cut ties with the past in order to make their own way in life. That single-minded determination could also be seen to be the characteristic of anyone with this name.

The tradition of surnames like Lindscheidt was used to communicate something about the person's character or profession. It is believed that the use of surnames became common in German lands around the 15th and 16th centuries. Often these names described a person’s occupation or physical characteristics. In the case of Lindscheidt, the history of the name likely reflects an original bearer of the name who was known for their determined yet strong-willed character.

Lindscheidt: Where does the name Lindscheidt come from?

The surname Lindscheidt is most common in Germany today. According to the latest population census, it ranks around 2,160th in terms of frequency. The origin of the name is believed to be German and thought to trace back to the Old Germanic words Lind meaning "serpent," and ecceidt or scheit meaning "shelter."

Lindscheidt is primarily found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is most concentrated. In fact, 603 occurrences of the name were recorded in this state. Lindscheidt is also found with slightly lower concentrations in the states of Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate.

In addition to digital records, the Lindscheidt family name can be found in many genealogical registries throughout Germany. Interestingly, there is also a large concentration of the Lindscheidt name in the U.S., particularly in cities like New York, Chicago, and St. Louis, MO. It is not completely clear how the name became so popular in the United States, though it is believed that it is connected to the influx of German immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Although the Lindscheidt name has spread around the world, it is still most commonly associated with Germany. There, many families with the surname trace their roots back to generations of German farmers who lived in the same region for centuries.

Variations of the surname Lindscheidt

The surname Lindscheidt is a very uncommon name in Europe, with the earliest mention of it being traced back to the late 19th century in Germany. Lindscheidt is derived from the German word “Linde” which means linden tree. The variants and spellings of this surname include Lindscheit, Lindscheit, Linsscheit, Linsscheidt, Linssheidt, Linxcheit, Lightcheit, Lindxcheidt, and Litecheit.

One of the more common surnames of the same origin is Lindemann, from Germany, as well as the alternative spelling of “lindemann”. The German surname Linden is another one with a similar origin, which is composed of a combination of Old High German words “Lind” (which means linden tree) and “mann” (which means man). Similarly, the surnames of Lindenberger and Lindenberg are commonly found in Germany, and they are derived from the place-name Lindenberg which is in the Brackenheim district of Bavaria.

The surnames of Lintscheidt and Lintscheit are also related to this surname, but they are somewhat more rare. Both of these variants are derived from the German words "Lintz" (which means the same as Linde, linden tree) and "scheidt" (which also means the same)

Finally, there are the less common surnames of Lindskog, Lindstrom, and Lindseth. All of these are derived from the same Old Norse words “lind” and “skog” which mean linden tree and forest, respectively. Similarly, Lindstrom is derived from the Old Norse word “straumr” which means stream, and Lindseth is derived from the Old Norse word “saethi” which means locality.

In conclusion, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lindscheidt include Lindscheit, Lindscheit, Linsscheit, Linsscheidt, Linssheidt, Linxcheit, Lightcheit, Lindxcheidt, and Litecheit; Lindemann, Linden, Lindenberger, Lindenberg, Lintscheidt, and Lintscheit; Lindskog, Lindstrom, and Lindseth.

Famous people with the name Lindscheidt

• Werner Lindscheidt: German Olympic gold medalist and handball player who was inducted into the International Handball Federation Hall of Fame in 2003.
• Gerd Lindscheidt: former German footballer who was part of the 1983–84 Bundesliga winning Bayern Munich team.
• Oscar Lindscheidt: German diplomat and anti-Nazi resistance fighter who was credited by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• Robert W. Lindscheidt: American electrical engineer who worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and was credited for his several contributions to the Apollo program that enabled the first lunar landing.
• Christian Lindscheidt: Austrian racing driver who won the 1973 European Hill Climb Championship.
• Volker Lindscheidt: German professional footballer who was part of the Hamburg team that won the 1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup.
• Antje Lindscheidt: German olympic volleyball player who won a bronze medal for West Germany at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Erich Lindscheidt: German jurist who served as the Constitutional Court of Thuringia president from 1994 to 2009.
• Peter Lindscheidt: German freestyle skier who competed in three Winter Olympic Games, earning two silver medals.
• George Henry Lindscheidt: American general who fought the Indians during the Plains Wars, and was also a veteran of the Union Army in the Civil War.

Other surnames

Lindscheid