Surname Schlehlein - Meaning and Origin
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Schlehlein: What does the surname Schlehlein mean?
The surname Schlehlein is a German locational or toponymic surname, meaning someone originally from the village of Schlehlein. It is composed of two components, "schleh" and "lein" to mean "little Schleh". Schleh is believed to be a nickname for a chatterer or noisy person, which possibly came from theOld High German “slaht”, meaning chattering, or “slahan”, which means “to be loud or noisy”. The word lein, meaning “little”, was often used to distinguish a small settlement from a large town, likely deriving from the Old German “lint”, meaning twig or stem. This surname likely originated in the south-central German region of Bavaria, with earliest existing records of the name appearing in this region in the late 17th century. From there, the name spread throughout Europe, with people bearing the name Schlehlein emigrating to America in the 19th century to settle in places such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Similarly, some Schlehleins emigrated to Canada during the same period. Today, people bearing the name Schlehlein can be found in many countries across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlehlein: Where does the name Schlehlein come from?
The last name Schlehlein is of German origin, derived from the Old German 'slu’ meaning 'bright fame'. It is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Saxony, Hesse, and Thuringia. It is also found in the United States, primarily among individuals with German ancestry. In the United States, the highest population of Schlehleins is in Wisconsin, though there is a scattered presence throughout the rest of the country.
The Schlehlein name has been a part of German society since the Middle Ages. It is derived from a common German term, which may have originally referred to a high ranking individual who was known for his intelligence, aptitude, and accomplishments. This suggests that the Schlehlein name has its roots firmly established in Germanic culture.
The Schlehlein family is associated with nobility, with some of its members having attained the rank of Freiherr (Baron/Lord). This title was predominantly bestowed upon military personnel. A number of individuals with the last name actively served in the German military during World War II, though it is not certain if these individuals all stem from the same family.
Regardless, it is clear that the Schlehlein surname is still actively present in Germany and in other parts of the world, with the US in particular containing a higher population of this particular family name. This is likely related to the large influx of German immigrants into the US throughout the 19th century, many of whom carried with them the family names long associated with German culture and traditions. As such, the Schlehlein surname remains prevalent today, with multiple individuals across the world bearing this proud family name.
Variations of the surname Schlehlein
The Schlehlein surname is thought to have originated in Germany and can be written in variations of the spelling, such as Schlehle, Schlehlin, Schlehl and Schlehlen. It can also be spelled differently, including Schlhlein, Schlahlein, Schlöhlein, Schleeglein, Schlemlen, Schlühlein, and Schlemlian.
The Schlehlein surname has Germanic origin and originates from the German word “schlehen,” which is an alternative form of the German word “chlehen,” meaning a thorn or a briar. This could suggest that the original ancestors of the Schlehlein surname were involved in farming, or working with land in some way.
The surname Schlehlein is quite rare and is found mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and areas of Eastern Europe. It can also be found in countries such as the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the Schlehlein surname which are found in the United States include Schleele, Schlobohm, Schlenk, Schlientz, Schleich, Schlehling, Schlehlins, Schmehl, Schlehlin, and Schliehlin.
The Schlehlein surname is sometimes abbreviated to “SCHL” and variations of this also exist, including SCLA, SCHLH, and SLE.
In conclusion, the surname Schlehlein is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and areas of Eastern Europe. It has Germanic origins and its associated spellings and surnames dictate the probable trade or profession of its ancestors. The surname is sometimes abbreviated to “SCHL”, along with other variations of this abbreviation.
Famous people with the name Schlehlein
- George Schlehlein: George Schlehlein (1915: 2008) was a two-time Olympian. A native of Germany, he competed in the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics in track and field events.
- Melvin Schlehlein: Melvin Schlehlein (1914: 1974) was a renowned Lutheran theologian and professor.
- Holly Schlehlein: Holly Schlehlein is an American actress best known for her recurring role in the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle".
- Jon Schlehlein: Jon Schlehlein is a retired professional ice hockey player who played for the West Point Army in the East Coast Hockey League from 1987 to 1988.
- Robert Schlehlein: Robert Schlehlein (1830: 1901) was an American politician who served in the Indiana State Legislature from 1865 to 1869.
- Kurt Schlehlein: Kurt Schlehlein (1917: 2007) was a German footballer. He played defender for the club Rot-Weiss Essen from 1936 to 1939.
- Hans Schlehlein: Hans Schlehlein (1882: 1918) was a German World War I ace credited with 18 aerial victories.
- Alexander Schlehlein: Alexander Schlehlein (1898: 1965) was a German World War II U-boat commander.
- Liselotte Schlehlein: Liselotte Schlehlein (1914: 2003) was a Nazi-era German figure skater who competed in the 1936 Olympics and took part in the International Figure Skating Competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen from 1936-1939.
- Hermann Schlehlein: Hermann Schlehlein (1890: 1968) was a German doctor who served as the head of gynecology and chief of the maternity ward at the University Hospital in Munich.