Surname Schlichtemaier - Meaning and Origin

Schlichtemaier: What does the surname Schlichtemaier mean?

The last name Schlichtemaier is of Germanic origin. It is thought to have originally derived from the Middle High German term "schildemar", meaning "shield-maker". The name descended from one of the numerous medieval craft guilds, and its members likely originated in central Germany.

Essentially, the Schlichtemaier name is an occupational surname. It initially referred to tradesmen or craftspeople who made or repaired shields, although this practice eventually evolved to also include those who sold shields as merchants, or who owned the tools necessary to produce them.

Over time, the Schlichtemaier name has spread throughout Germany, and has also been emigrated to many countries around the world. This last name is still found in Germany, but it is slightly less common than it was historically. However, those with the last name Schlichtemaier are still often connected to the craft of shield-making in some way, either through ally businesses, or through being descendants of the original shield-makers.

Today, Schlichtemaier is still a fairly popular last name, both in Germany and across the world. It is often seen as a sign of honor and connection to a long tradition of craftsmanship, and is one of the many symbols of German culture and identity found around the globe.

Schlichtemaier: Where does the name Schlichtemaier come from?

The surname Schlichtemaier is only found in Germany today. Specifically, the areas of Arnsberg, Sauerland, Westfalen, and Minden are citied as areas that the surname has historically been seen in. It is possible that the name has spread beyond Germany, however, this possibility is based on circumstantial evidence and is unsubstantiated.

The name Schlichtemaier seems to have originated in the 13th century in the Lower Rhine region. The roots of the name are German, consisting of the word "Schlichte", which was a military or 'armed' rank and the word "Meier", which was a title of nobility. Over time the name became more common in northern parts of Germany and is still located mainly in this region today.

The Schlichtemaier surname is not as common as it once was in Germany and is rarely seen in other countries. If you search the Internet, you will not find many individuals with the name Schlichtemaier, and it is assumed that the people who bear the title are descendants of those living in Germany during the Middle Ages.

Due to the small population of people with the surname and its limited geographic location, it is extremely difficult to trace the family tree of the Schlichtemaier name. Even though the name is still found in Germany, it is typically only common in northern parts of the country.

Variations of the surname Schlichtemaier

The surname Schlichtemaier is a German surname deriving from the Low German term 'slichte', meaning 'simple' and the German term 'mayer' meaning 'mayor' or 'landowner'. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can include the following:

• Schlichtemeyer- an alternate spelling;

• Schlichthemayer- a slight adjustment in spelling;

• Schlichte- a shortened version;

• Schlicht- an even shorter version;

• Slicht- the Low German equivalent;

• Slichtmeyer- a Low German equivalent spelling;

• Slyght- an old Dutch spelling of the term;

• Slijkmeijer- a Dutch variant;

• Slechtmayer- a Westphalian variant;

• Schlichtmaier- another spelling alteration;

• Schlichemayer- an alternative spelling; and

• Schlecktemeyer- a double spelling alteration.

In addition to these variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, there is also the Danish and North German variant of 'Schlichenmayer'. As a relatively uncommon surname, Schlichtemaier is still relatively easy to trace.

Famous people with the name Schlichtemaier

• Lorenz Schlichtemaier: German actor, stage director, and playwright.
• Arnold Schlichtemaier: Austrian militant and was invalided from service in the Austrian Army.
• Adrien Schlichtemaier: Belgian designer and graphic artist, specializing in animation in 3D computer graphics.
• Henry Schlichtemaier: German engineer, businessman and former professional tennis player.
• Alexander Schlichtemaier: German businessman and heir to the family fortune. He took over the reins of the family firm after his father’s death.
• Amalie Schlichtemaier: German academic and psychologist.
• August Schlichtemaier: German entrepreneur and founder of the family fortune.
• Ernst Schlichtemaier: German academic and mathematician.
• Georg Schlichtemaier: German artist and sculptor.
• Heinrich Schlichtemaier: German musicologist and professor of music history.
• Jordan Schlichtemaier: German digital entrepreneur and founder of several fundraising platforms for nonprofits.
• John Schlichtemaier: American entrepreneur and founder of the Fortune 500 company, The Schlichtemaier Group.
• Kurt Schlichtemaier: German professional football player.
• Laura Schlichtemaier: German businesswoman and venture capital investor.
• Mark Schlichtemaier: German sculptor and painter.
• Peter Schlichtemaier: German lawyer and partner in a leading international law firm.
• Richard Schlichtemaier: German entrepreneur and CEO of the family-owned firm, Schlichtemaier Industries.
• Ruth Schlichtemaier: German poet and writer, best known for her short stories.
• Siegfried Schlichtemaier: German impressionist and landscape painter.
• Stephan Schlichtemaier: German music producer and founding member of the band, Techno Trash.

Other surnames

Schlichtemayer