Surname Schleifert - Meaning and Origin
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Schleifert: What does the surname Schleifert mean?
The last name Schleifert is derived from the Old German word "schleiffer," or "sharper." It is likely of occupational origin, derived from the occupation of sharpening tools. Those with the last name presumably had familial ties to a person that performed such a profession.
Today, the last name Schleifert is most commonly found in Germany and surrounding areas. Schleifert is also a rare surname found in Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. In areas such as the United States, it is likely that the surname has been altered to spellings such as Shlaifer, Schleifer, Schleiferdecker, Schliefert, or Schliefer.
The name Schleifert is believed to signify a line of hardworking craftsman, who sharpened tools to be given a better edges. The Schleiferts were skilled metalworkers, making them trusted members of their communities. Traditionally, those with the last name were either blacksmiths or tinsmiths, sharpening tools to be used in everyday life.
Today, the Schleifert surname carries on the same characteristics of those who bore it years ago. Schleiferts are often active in the community, working to support or better others. From metalworking to helping the community, the Schleiferts are exemplifying hardworking people who continually strive to make the world a better place.
Order DNA origin analysisSchleifert: Where does the name Schleifert come from?
The last name Schleifert is most likely of German origin and is primarily found today in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. It is also somewhat common in the US, particularly in the Midwest and the East Coast, where many German and Austrian immigrants and their descendants live.
In Germany, the name is most common in the northern parts and especially in the city-state of Berlin. A few of the smaller towns in the northern parts of Germany also have a notable number of people having this last name, such as near the towns of Lüneburg and Göttingen, and the coastal towns of Stralsund and Greifswald.
In Austria, the name is also quite common in some areas, especially in Vienna and its surrounding towns. It is also found in the country's easternmost provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
The last name Schleifert is known to be found in other parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is also present in Argentina, where it is believed to have been brought by German and Austrian immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The name has a strong association with western and central Europe, and as of today, the last name Schleifert is most common in those areas.
Variations of the surname Schleifert
The surname Schleifert is a variation of several different surnames and spellings of the same origin. Common variations of Schleifert include Schliefert, Schleifer, Schleiffert, Schleiffer, Schliefer, and Schleifferth.
The surname Schleifert is believed to have originated in Germany and is derived from the Middle German words “schlifen” or “sliufen,” meaning to round off or shape with an abrasive wheel. This was the profession of many individuals bearing this surname, as they were grinding or abrading tools and materials to create a specific shape or round them off.
The surname Schleifert can be found in some of the earliest records of German surnames, such as the Badisches Namenverzeichnis (Baden Name Directory), and the family name is known to date back to the 16th century in southwestern Germany.
The spelling and various variants of the Schleifert surname can be found throughout the world today, particularly in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, and Austria. In the United States, the most popular variation is listed as Schleifer, with Schleifert and Schliefert being the second and third most common variations, respectively. Of all the variants, Schleifer is the most popular and is the one that is most associated with the origin of this surname.
In general, all variants of the Schleifert surname are believed to be from the same origin, with the variation of spelling and additional surnames being attributed to the immigrants who brought the name to new countries during the great migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Famous people with the name Schleifert
- Niklas Schleifer: a German Epic Games Level Designer working on the popular online game Fortnite
- Carl Schlieffert: a retired German professional football player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics for West Germany
- Robert Schleifer: American actor best known for his supporting roles as Oz in “Moneyball” (2011) and Wild Bill in “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
- Carolina Schleifer: a successful Brazilian television presenter and journalist
- Brian Schleifer: an American screenwriter and director most known for his work on the television series “The Walking Dead”
- Joe Schleifer: a former professional American football player who played for the New York Jets and Chicago Bears
- Pablo Schleifer: an Argentinian film director, screenwriter and producer, best known for his work on “The Motorcycle Diaries” (2004) and “The Secret in Their Eyes” (2009)
- Amelia Schleifer: American actress who has appeared in several films such as “Everest” (2015) and “The Lost City of Z” (2016)
- Bill Schleifer: an American stage, film and television actor best known for his roles in the “The Godfather” (1972) and “Gotti” (1996)
- Trisha Schleifer: a German-American artist who works in multiple mediums to create her paintings and sculptures.