Surname Schlevogt - Meaning and Origin

Schlevogt: What does the surname Schlevogt mean?

The surname Schlevogt is an occupational name from a Middle High German word, which translates to “shield maker.” This can be broken down into two words, “schilf” and “gut,” which mean shield and good, respectively. This name originates in Europe, but can be found throughout Germany, Austria, and other parts of Central Europe.

This name was original given to someone who was a clinging to a special trade or profession, namely that of metalworkers in the iron trade. Some of the job titles at the time included blacksmith, armorers, gunsmiths, metal workers, chandlers, and more. Historically, these professions were often passed down within families, and the name became associated with the family’s profession.

The name Schlevogt has no religious or ethnic associations. The background of the surname is believed to be Germanic. The surname was likely first found in the area of Thuringia, and is quite rare. This makes it difficult to trace the Schlevogt family history, as records are scarce. However, records do indicate the name was present in the area by the 13th century.

The meaning and origin of the Schlevogt surname is reflective of an iron-working or blacksmithing background. This family likely had their roots in ironwork and metalworking professions, tracing back to the Middle High German language. The Schlevogt surname is still used today, usually in Germany and Austria, as well as other parts of Central Europe.

Schlevogt: Where does the name Schlevogt come from?

The Schlevogt surname is most common today in parts of northwestern Germany, particularly in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It is also found in smaller numbers in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, and Bavaria. In the U.S., it is most commonly found in the Midwestern states of Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas, as well as in the Northwest states of Oregon and Washington. It is also quite common in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta.

The Schlevogt surname likely originated in the early Middle Ages of northeastern Germany and derives from an old German or Dutch word, referring to a small lake or marsh. Those surnames which derived from personal names, such as Schlevogt, often spread across Germany through early medieval migrations. Records of the surname in Germany date back to at least the 16th century, when the Catholic Schlevogts of Lower Saxony were granted nobility status by the Bishop of Brunswick.

By the late 19th century, emigration of German-speakers to the United States and Canada had increased greatly. The many individuals bearing the Schlevogt surname likely arrived in North America during this time, contributing to the current distribution of the name across the continent. In more recent applications, the spelling of the Schlevogt surname has often been altered to vary slightly from the traditional spelling. While most variations still remain phonetically similar, some versions of the surname, such as Schloefogt, have become increasingly common in recent decades.

Variations of the surname Schlevogt

There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schlevogt. These variations of the surname include Schlevogel, Schleefogel, Schleifogel and Shelpogel.

The surname Schlevogt is a form of the German given name "Schleifogel," which means "wild bird" or "plump bird." The surname stems from the Middle High German given name "Schleibrøcl" and is derived from the Old High German name "schleibalbereht," which means "nobleman of the birds."

The surname Schlevogt is also spelled in various ways in other countries. In Luxembourg, the surname is sometimes spelled Schefleogel, Scheflogel, or Schleflogel; in Belgium and the Netherlands it is sometimes spelled Schlevogl or Schlevoge; and in the United States, the spelling is often anglicized and/or modified as Shelvogel or Shelpogl.

The Schlevogt surname is also found in some areas with slight variations, such as Swlevogt, Swlefogel, Swlevogel, Swelveogel and Schelfogel. These surnames are uncommon and may be variant forms of the Schlevogt surname in which the "L" and "F" sounds are combined.

The surname is also found with various spellings or corruptions, such as Slefogel, Slevogel, and Schloefogel. Most of these variant forms are a combination of the Old High German root words for "bird," and the suffix "-ogel," meaning "little bird" or "small bird."

In some Dutch speaking countries, the Schlevogt surname is also found in the diminutive form Schloogt or Schloevaegt. This variation of the surname combines the root word for "bird" with the suffix "-vaegt," meaning "hunter" or "fowler."

In Ireland, the name is often spelled Schleibhin. This variation of the surname is derived from the Gaelic term "Sliab n-Fionn," which translates as "birds darting about." This variation of the surname is unique to Irish families with German heritage.

Famous people with the name Schlevogt

• Fanny Schlevogt, German film actress and director.
• Bernd Schlevogt, German football coach.
• Gerd Schlevogt, German engineer.
• Gisela Schlevogt, German philosopher.
• Erich Schlevogt, German theatre actor, director, and playwright.
• Karl-Heinz Schlevogt, German composer and musician.
• Heinz Schlevogt, German film director and producer.
• Ernst Schlevogt, German chemist and botanist.
• Armin Schlevogt, German filmmaker and producer.
• Johannes Schlevogt, German painter and graphic artist.

Other surnames

Schlevoigt