Surname Schlesack - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schlesack: What does the surname Schlesack mean?
The surname Schlesack is of German origin and is derived from the word 'Schlese', meaning boundary or border. This suggests that its earliest bearers were located near or on geographical boundaries or borders.
The earliest records of the Schlesack name date back to the 14th century, when a family of that name were residing at Poppekow in the former Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg. It is likely that the name was adopted by this family upon their move from their original residence in the area now known as Saxony.
In the centuries since its origin, the name Schlesack has spread beyond the borders of Germany to other central European countries such as Austria, Hungary and Poland. It is also found in North America and today, the name is found in many countries around the world.
Schlesack is an unusual surname in that its geographical origin is quite clear, but its exact meaning is not. There are no records of any other families with a similar form of the name in existence.
In all likelihood, the name was meant to evoke a sense of territorial strength and security, imparted by its association with a physical boundary or border, which is why it is often associated with the motto, 'strength through borders'.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlesack: Where does the name Schlesack come from?
The last name Schlesack is found most commonly in Germany and among those of German descent in other countries such as the United States and Canada. It originated from the German language word “schlesitz” which means “armour” or “shield”. This surname is derived from similar words in various dialects across Germany’s nine states.
The most populous area in Germany associated with the Schlesack name is North Rhine-Westphalia. The Schlesack spelling is also prevalent in other areas of Germany such as Berlin, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.
In the United States, the last name Schlesack is reported most often in Pennsylvania and other states along the Eastern Seaboard including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Aside from Pennsylvania, the states with the highest population of Schlesacks are Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Due to the increased size of the German immigrant population in the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Schlesacks have dispersed across the United States. There have been reports of people with this name in larger cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, as well as more rural communities in the Midwest.
Overall, the Schlesack name is still relatively common amongst individuals of German descent and has spread among different countries due to emigration from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Schlesack
The surname Schlesack is a German patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name "Schleseke". It is also spelt as Schlack, Schlacke, Schleschack, Schleseke, Schleßeck, Schlesecke, Schlesog, Schlesek, and Schlessack.
Patronymic surnames are derived from the first name of a person usually preceded or followed by the suffix -s, -son, -es, -en, or -se. In some cases, the last name is formed by dropping the suffix.
The variants of this surname come from changing the spelling of the base name. For example, Schlesack, Schlack, and Schleschack can be derived from Schleseke. The double e in Schleseke frequently changed to one e, resulting in the spelling Schlesek. The addition of -eck or -og changed the name to Schlesecke, and Schlesog, respectively. The combination of two words Schles and sack, meaning ‘doubt’ or ‘providence’ gave rise to the surname Schlessack.
The Schlesack surname is mostly found in the German states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also common in the United States and other countries where German immigrants settled.
Overall, the Schlesack surname is derived from a personal name that has been modified over the centuries, resulting in many different spellings and variants. Some of these variants are Schlack, Schlacke, Schleschack, Schleseke, Schleßeck, Schlesecke, Schlesog, Schlesek, and Schlessack.
Famous people with the name Schlesack
- Nate Schlesack: American musician and composer best known for his work with the band 30 Seconds to Mars.
- Don Schlesack: Major League Baseball player who played in the All-Star game in 1970.
- Harvey Schlesack: Former professional American football player who played in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams in 1955.
- Betty Schlesack:Award-winning American animator and film producer who won the Emmy award for her work on The Simpsons.
- Elmer Schlesack: Retired American lawyer who served as a special assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C. from 1953 to 1957.
- Mark Schlesack: Award-winning American music producer and songwriter who was nominated for Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his work on the album Thriller.
- Kincaid Schlesack: Professional American basketball player who played with the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Georgette Schlesack: Former president of the International Stunt Pilots Association who won the Guinness World Record for the longest freefall in 1999.
- Keri Schlesack: Canadian entrepreneur who was the founder of Marc by Marc Jacobs in 2004.
- April Schlesack: Professional soccer player who won the NCAA National Championship with the University of North Carolina.