Surname Schlei - Meaning and Origin
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Schlei: What does the surname Schlei mean?
The surname Schlei is derived from the German word schlei meaning sluice or watergate. It was likely originally applied as an occupational surname for someone who worked in water management, or who lived near a sluice or watergate.
The Schlei surname first appeared in Northern Germany in the 13th century, and its earliest recordings include a Berchtold von Schlei in 1266. The earliest English record of the surname Schlei is in 1381 with William Slegh in the Records of England.
The name Schlei became a prevalent surname throughout Europe, with particular concentrations in Germany, Switzerland, Finland, and Russia. Throughout the centuries, the Schlei name has served as a surname, a first name, and also as a place name for various towns, villages, and rivers.
In recent times, the Schlei name has become increasingly associated with people of north-central European origin. It can also be found as a presence surname in places such as the United States and Canada, where people of European heritage moved to in search of new opportunities.
In general, the surname Schlei and its variations are believed to represent a strong connection to the past. It is likely that anyone with this name still holds the same values of courage, freedom, and originality that it has represented throughout its history.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlei: Where does the name Schlei come from?
The last name Schlei has a rather limited distribution - today it is mostly found in Germany and nearby countries in Central Europe. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the surname was not found among the top 1,000 surnames reported in the U.S. and the UK in 2020, suggesting that it is fairly rare outside of the historically German-speaking areas.
In Germany, the surname is most commonly seen in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Berlin, and is perhaps most strongly associated with the city of Berlin. In fact, a family of Schleis who descended from a Prussian military family settled in the city in 1723 and grew to become one of its most prominent families. Records show that the Schlei name still has more than 100 bearers in the area today.
Although the Schlei name is not found prominently outside of Germany today, many people of Germanic descent have taken on the name as a middle name or as part of a double barralled last name (an increasingly popular trend in certain countries in Europe).
Ultimately, the last name Schlei is a Germanic family name with a longstanding and prominent connection to Germany. It is by no means a common name outside of the region, but is still found in many parts of the country.
Variations of the surname Schlei
The surname "Schlei" (or its variant spellings, Schley or Schleier) is of German or Dutch origin and is derived from the German Old German word "schlei", which translates to "tide." As the name suggests, it may also have been an occupational name for someone who worked in the shipping industry. In some cases, it was likely used to denote someone who lived near a body of water. The surname is also found in records from the 16th century onwards, specifically in Aachen, Germany.
Variants of Schlei include the Old German Schley, Schleiß, Schleyer, Schleier, Schlee, Schleyer, Schleiermacher, and Shlyer. Derivatives of the surname found in other countries include Schlaeger in the Germany and Austria, Schlasler and Schlesinger in Austria, Shley in Russia, and Shleyer in the United States. Some other spellings of the surname include Schlay, Schlaye, Schle, Schlea, and Shleye.
The surname also has some variants that have evolved over the centuries. These include Schlüssel, Schließer, Schlictal, Schlingmann, Schlingemann, Sch Formsma, and Sch Legemaat. All of these variants have their own meanings and can be used to denote a person’s origin or profession. In some cases, the original spelling of the last name could have been corrupted or changed slightly when it was recorded in certain dialects or languages.
Therefore, it is important to note that the information mentioned above could only serve as a rough guide to the etymology and variants of the surname Schlei. Nevertheless, it should still give a good indication of its various possible spellings and origins.
Famous people with the name Schlei
- Norbert Schlei: Norbert Schlei is a former United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. He served in this position between October 1994 and March 1997.
- Larry Schlei: Larry Schlei is a lawyer, business executive, and a former US Securities and Exchange Commissioner. He has served on the SEC from 1989 to 1995.
- Carl Schlei: Carl Schlei is a German author and theologian. He is known for his books on religion and theology, such as Christian Dogmatics and Wilderness and the Heart of God.
- Odette Schlei: Odette Schlei is an international lawyer and the first woman to be appointed Assistant US Trade Representative for the Office of the US Trade Representative. She served in this post from 1982 to 1986.
- Doran Schlei: Doran Schlei is an American entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Schlei Ventures LLC, a venture capital company.
- Steven Schlei: Steven Schlei is an American lawyer and human rights rights activist who is the founder and president of Schlei Global, a human rights organization.
- Jim Schlei: Jim Schlei is a former US Representative from California who served in Congress from 1979 to 1995.
- Annie Schlei: Annie Schlei is a German author and playwright. Her works include The Window-Dressing of Birds and The Woman Who Stole Arjuna.