Surname Schleff - Meaning and Origin
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Schleff: What does the surname Schleff mean?
The last name Schleff is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘sliff’, which means a stream or bend in a river. The surname can also be linked to the word 'schleife', which means ‘loop’ and refers to a bend or turn in a river. Thus ‘Schleff’ would indicate a habitational origin, referring to someone who lived near such a bend.
The Schleffs are mentioned in documents dating back from the 13th century, with the first recorded occurrence being 'Jockens Schleff' in 1251. The Schleffs have since spread across the German regions of Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia and Pomerania, and can also be found in countries near Germany such as Denmark, Czech Republic and Austria.
Variations of the name include 'Scliff', 'Schliiff', 'Schlifff', 'Schlyf', 'Schlyff' and 'Schlyffes'. The name is also used as a middle name in some families.
The Schleff surname can be found today in Germany, other continental European and even in some countries around the world. It is an ancient name that has carried across the centuries and is now a symbol of strength and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisSchleff: Where does the name Schleff come from?
The last name Schleff is most commonly found in Germany today. According to records from the Central Institute for Genealogy, approximatively 800 people bear the name Schleff in Germany. The surname originates from old Germanic roots, derived from the preferential use of the family name in the Rhineland region of Germany, where it historically remains a fairly popular surname.
Researchers believe the name Schleff emerged in the mid-14th century as an occupational name for somebody associated with the Linen Guild in the Rhineland. The guild used to employ laborers who were paid in linens, which is a term used today to describe a material made from the fibers of flax plants and used in the production of garments. This likely explains the meaning of the word 'Schleff' which, in Middle High German, can be translated to mean linen weavers.
The Schleff surname can still be found in various parts of Germany today, although the density of its distribution is highest in the regions where it first appeared centuries ago. However, the name is not exclusive to Germany. Some Schleffs can also be found in neighboring Austria and Switzerland, with smaller populations scattered across other European countries such as France and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Schleff
The surname Schleff is an occupational surname with German origins. It is often spelled in different ways, such as Schlief, Schlef, Schlieff, Schleef, Schleifer, Schleifenbaum, and Schleiferstein. These variants and surnames all share the same root, with the German words for "cutter," "scytheman," or "blade" being closely related to the surname.
For example, Schlief and Schlef both derive from the German terms for "cutter," while Schlieff is a variation of the German word for "scytheman." Similarly, Schleef is a variation of the German word for "blade," and Schleiferstein is a combination of the words for "cut" and "stone," referencing the profession of someone who works with stones to make blades.
In terms of surnames derived from the Schleff origin, there are a few variants such as Schleffing, Schleffmann, Schleffner, and Schleffler. These surnames were created as a result of the original Schleff surname being adapted for other uses.
Schleffing, for example, is likely derived from the profession of a tailor, and Schleffmann may have been used to denote someone who was related to the Schleff family, while Schleffner and Schleffler likely both refer to someone who was a cutter or sharpener by trade.
Overall, the surname Schleff has a variety of spellings and associated surnames, each of which have different origins and meanings. While there are a few nuances between these variants, they all share the same underlying root and the same profession of a bladesmith or sharpener.
Famous people with the name Schleff
- Lisa Schleff: A Founding Member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Paul Schleff: Television Producer and Writer.
- Willy Schleff: Dutch Classical Composer.
- Claudia Schlef: German Double Bass Player and Educator.
- Michael Schleff: German Record Producer.
- Otto Schleff: German-American Pioneer Farmer of Wisconsin.
- Dave Schleff: American Record Producer and Musician.
- Herbert Schleff: German Artist, Painter, and Sculptor.
- Paul Schleff: American Drummer.
- June Schleffer: British Stunt Double and Horse Trainer.
- Ralph Schleff: Director of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
- Robert Schleff: German Actor.
- Rose Schleff: Canadian Flute Player.
- Thomas Schleff: German Playwright and Theatre Director.
- Don Schleff: German Politician.
- Erich Schleff: German Train Operation Engineer and Writer.
- Fritz Schleff: German Sculptor.
- Helene Schleff: American Member of the Golf Halls of Fame.
- Paulina Schleff: Television Actress from Germany.
- Jörg Schleff: German Actor.