Surname Schleh - Meaning and Origin
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Schleh: What does the surname Schleh mean?
The last name Schleh is rooted in German ancestry and is derived from the German word schläger, meaning “fighter” or “swordsman” and refers to someone of a strong and robust nature. The Schleh surname is most common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria but can be found all over the world, including the United States. Records show the first Schleh ancestor arriving in the United States in 1709.
The actual meaning of the name Schleh has been open to interpretation in different countries and cultures. In some countries, the name carries an honorable connotation of a brave and courageous warrior while in other cultures it can be seen as a sign of strength and loyalty. Some interpretations include being calm under pressure, a hard worker, or a wise counselor.
Regardless of the interpretation of the name, it is known to carry a positive connotation to one’s character. Bearing the name Schleh indicates a person has ties to German culture and likely are of upper-class ancestry with an interesting history. The name Schleh will most likely continue to be respected and cherished for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisSchleh: Where does the name Schleh come from?
Today, the last name Schleh is found primarily in North America, Europe, and Australia. It is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
The Schleh surname has a German origin and is derived from the noun Schläger, which means "plague," and is an occupational name for a stick maker or bearer. It is also derived from a Middle German form of the feminine name Schlägerin, meaning "plowhandle," and so may have been an occupational name for a plowman.
In the United States, the Schleh last name is fairly widely spread, with the highest concentrations found in the states of South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Texas. In Canada, the Schleh surname is primarily found in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
The Schleh name is also common in some countries in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it is the 243rd most common surname. It is also found in the Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as smaller numbers in Austria, Poland, and Slovakia.
In Australia, the Schleh last name is found in small numbers in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, as well as in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Overall, the Schleh last name is a relatively common one, with significant concentrations in Germany, the United States, and Canada. However, it is also seen in smaller numbers in other parts of the world, particularly Europe and Australia.
Variations of the surname Schleh
The German surname Schleh is most commonly encountered in the states of Hesse, Lower Saxony and Bavaria, and may be found spelled both Schleh and Schlaeh. The surname has alternative spellings such as Schaeh or Schahe, plus it is sometimes encountered as a short form, Schlee.
Variant spellings of Schleh can sometimes be found in other countries where the surname has been carried abroad by emigrants, such as in the United States and Britain, where the Schleh surname is generally spelled Schley or Sleigh.
In many early records of the Schleh surname, the spelling often varied according to the family line, or according to the local dialect or language of that time. Variations include Schlaeh, Schleye, Schlieh, Schle, Schlegel, Schlesch, Schlissel, Schley, Schlae, Schleh, Schleeh, Schlehl, Schleghel, Schlee, Schla, Sleigh, Scheah, Schlehman, Schlegmann, Schelah, and Shleh.
The Dutch variant of the Schleh surname is Schleij, and there are many other surname derivations from the original Schleh, which are spelled similarly but have different meanings, such as Schleehaupt, Schlehahn, Schleiereuter, Schleisinger, Schleicher, and Schlesinger.
Although the Schleh surname originated in Germany, it has developed an international presence as German settlers traveled abroad to Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is a popular surname and can be found in both German and different languages all around the world.
Famous people with the name Schleh
- Michael Schleh: German actor best known for appearing in films such as The Tower, Sweet Home Alabama and The Reader.
- Johannes Schleh: German rugby union coach who was the head coach of the Bavarian Rugby Union from 2003-2009.
- Peter Schleh: German-born American composer and music producer who scored and produced music for films such as Pixels and The Hate U Give.
- Sophia Schleh: German figure skater who has placed first in the Bavarian Championships multiple times, as well as competing in the 2016 World Junior Championships.
- Paul Schleh: German football player who has played for the Germany U19 team and most recently competed for German club, Chemnitzer FC.
- Nane Schleh: German abstract painter and sculptor whose work has been exhibited internationally.
- Iphigenie Schleh: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics and is currently part of the Austrian women's skiing team.
- Alice Schleh: German physicist who is a professor at the Department of Physics at the University of Kaiserslautern where she is researching groundbreaking technology.
- Wilhelm Schleh: German botanist who provided the first systematic account of the wild plants native to the region of East Prussia.
- Karl Schleh: German General who served in WWI and WWII and was awarded the Iron Cross before his retirement in 1941.