Surname Schliekau - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schliekau: What does the surname Schliekau mean?
The last name Schliekau is an ancient German name, and it can be traced back to a small town in Saxony, located on the south bank of the River Löcknitz. The name itself likely derives from the combination of two words: 'schleichen' and 'kauen', which together mean 'the sly one'. In many ways, the name depends upon its context, as it has come to take on different meanings over the centuries; the modern interpretation is often associated with wisdom and intelligence.
Until the mid-16th century, the Schliekaus were mostly small landowners living near Löcknitz; their primary occupation was farming. It was in 1541 that the first major member of the family emerged, Schmidt Schliekau, who gained renown by leading a Saxon army against the invading French and Swedish in support of the German cause. Schmidt was commended for his prowess by the Duke of Saxony, Frederick III, and was eventually awarded lands and titles in recognition of his brave deeds.
In the years that followed, the Schliekaus became known throughout Germany as noblemen of great integrity and wisdom. Throughout the creation of the modern German state, the Schliekaus have remained a part of the country's social elite, and continue to be celebrated for their courage and legacy.
At its core, the Schliekau name is one that has represented wisdom and intelligence for centuries. It is a symbol of nobility and honour, and has been passed down through generations in recognition of the courageous deeds of one of Germany's earliest heroes.
Order DNA origin analysisSchliekau: Where does the name Schliekau come from?
The last name Schliekau is most commonly found in parts of Germany today. Schliekau is a German surname that is derived from a toponym meaning "village on the stream". The Schliekau river is located in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany.
The Schliekau family is believed to have originated in the 12th century in the village of Schliekau, which was originally owned by the Church of Lübeck. By the 16th century, the Schliekau family were related to many noble houses in Holstein and across the Baltic.
Today, the Schliekau family name is primarily found throughout Holstein, as well as in North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and parts of Austria. The Schliekau family is also well represented in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, where many of its members emigrated from Germany during the 19th century.
The Schliekau name is relatively rare in other parts of the world, though the line has spread globally in recent generations. It is also not uncommon to find variations of the name, such as “Schliekan” or “Schleicher.” Despite its relative rarity, the Schliekau name remains strongly associated with its roots in northern Germany.
Variations of the surname Schliekau
The surname Schliekau is a variant of Scliekau and Schlickau, and all three can be spelled in several different ways. It is a German-language surname and so the various spelling variations tend to be in German. The most common variants are Schlickau, Schliekau, and Schlichau. All three variants are ultimately derived from the same German root word, meaning “shallow water” or “shallow channel”. It is likely derived from a place name for a river, lake, or other body of water.
The spellings of Schliekau include Schlieka, Schlikau, Schliecau, Schlicko, and Schleyckau. Other variant spellings of the surname Schlickau include Schlicke, Schlieck, Schleck, Schlick, and Schlickau. Finally, the different spellings of Scliekau include Sclikeau, Sclichau, and Sclieckau.
There are also several surname variants related to Schliekau. The German surname Stelckau is a variation of the Schliekau. In more recent history, the surname has mutated into Kleck, Kleckau, Klecke, Klechau, and Kleckow. In the United States, Schliekau and its variants are sometimes seen with the variations Scheela, Scheele, Slaga, or Slaker. Finally, the common variant Schlikau is also seen as Schlicka or Schlicke.
Famous people with the name Schliekau
- Kurt Schliekau (politician and mayor of Dresden from 2006-2011).
- Friedrich Schliekau (renowned landscape painter who was part of the German Romantic Movement).
- Hans Schliekau (creator of the Neues Sehen School of photography and photojournalism).
- Jan Schliekau (Olympic athlete who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics).
- Sonja Schliekau (gymnast who won several German championships).
- Kay Schliekau (one of the most successful riders in show jumping).
- Chris Schliekau (professional ice hockey player who played for SV Weiden).
- Kurt Schliekau (swimmer who won multiple German swimming championships).
- Damaris Schliekau (professional javelin thrower).
- Anja Schliekau (four-time national champion in the high jump).