Surname Schlichtling - Meaning and Origin
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Schlichtling: What does the surname Schlichtling mean?
The last name Schlichtling is of German origin and is derived from the words for “simple” or “plain”. The name can be translated as “one who is of a plain nature”, and people with this last name were traditionally people who were humble and modest.
Individuals with the last name Schlichtling were thought to be generous, kindhearted people who believed in uplifting others. They held strong spiritual beliefs and believed it was their duty to spread these values with family, friends and the community. The Schlichtling last name can also be derived from farming and agriculture, indicating the people with this name were connected to the land and keenly aware of its importance.
The Schlichtling surname is still quite common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe. Due to European migration to other parts of the world, individuals now exist all over the globe who share this last name.
The Schlichtling last name is incredibly meaningful. It symbolises individuals of simple, honest and kind natures who wanted to live, and help others, in the spirit of harmony and compassion.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlichtling: Where does the name Schlichtling come from?
The surname Schlichtling is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. It is particularly popular in the southern parts of both countries, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia. Schlichtling can be found in the highest concentrations in Munich and Nuremberg.
The origin of the surname is likely Germanic, being derived from the Middle High German term “Schlicht”, meaning “plain” or “simple”. This would, in turn, be related to the Middle High German term “schlichten”, meaning “to restrain” or “to straighten”. This would point to a person who is competent in mending fences or broken items.
The name is quite old, being first documented in the early 1200s in Bavaria. There are records of a certain Sir Walther von Schlictelyn (or Schlichtin) in the year 1214. It is possible he may have been the first to use this surname.
The name spread through Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and other surrounding areas, gaining a foothold in these regions. It is likely this spread was due to migration and intermarriages. Today, there are roughly 1,000 people in Germany and Austria with this surname. It is possible the name has spread outside of Germany and Austria, as well, but is less common than in these regions.
Variations of the surname Schlichtling
The surname Schlichtling may have several different spellings and variants. Some of these spellings include Shlichtling, Shlichtlyn, Schlichtly, Shyklightling, Schlichtlinge, Shlitelyn, Shlightlyn, Shlychtling, and Skhlichtling. There may also be alternative surnames of the same origin, such as Shlichtblum, Shultling, Schlittering, and Slitterling.
Schlichtling is a German language surname, and not a common one so there are not many versions of this name. Within German records, there are just over 400 people with the Schlichtling surnames.
The surname Schlichtling may come from two distinct words which, when combined, mean “simple” or “plain” – “schlicht” and “ling.” So people with this surname may have been seen as plain or simply minded in the past. Alternatively, the name may also come from the Old High German word “slihte,” which means “easy” or “plain.”
It is also possible that the surname was created when somebody with the given name Schlicht or a similar Christian name adopted it as a surname. This was quite common during the 18th and 19th centuries in Germany.
The surname Schlichtling can still be found mainly in the states of Hesse, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, in Germany. It is possible that many of the people who have the surname Schlichtling today are related to those people who possessed the same name in the past.
No matter what the origin of the name is, Schlichtling is still a very rare surname, and it still holds a unique and interesting family history.
Famous people with the name Schlichtling
- August Schlichtling (1899–1986): German medium and independent writer.
- Reinhold Schlichtling (1886–1961): German author and journalist.
- John Schlichtling (1947–2013): American author and editor.
- Gloria Schlichtling: Brazilian artist.
- Simon Schlichtling (1783–1817): German landscape painter and engraver.
- Frans Schlichtling: Dutch artist.
- Oskar Schlichtling: German educator and advocate for special education programs for blind students.
- Johann-Sebastian Schlichtling: German politician, diplomat and lawyer.
- Friedwald Schlichtling: German musician and composer.
- Johannes Schlichtling (1624–1676): German historian and cartographer.