Surname Schliephak - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schliephak: What does the surname Schliephak mean?
The last name Schliephak, is an occupational surname derived from the German language. The name originated from the Proto-Germanic phrase meaning 'laborer at the office'. The term was used for a person who was involved in the registry and post office service, and was often used to describe a person who worked in a post office or as a messenger.
In Germany, the surname first appears in 15th century records as 'Schliebbeke', but the spelling evolved in the 18th century.
The origin of 'Schliephak' as a surname suggests that it may have been borne by the family of Johann Schliephake, a postmaster in the early 19th century in the city of Osnabrück. Alternatively, the surname may have been passed down from a family of mills workers based in the Wiesbaden area, as there is a record of a Christian Schliephake as a miller in 1762.
Today, the surname Schliephak is primarily found in the United States, where it is listed as the 4,681st most common surname, with an estimated population of 845. It is also found in Germany and other European countries, as well as Australia and Canada.
The people who historically bore the surname Schliephak, were workers in the postal service, mills or the office service, and this history is still evident in the surname today. This history can be seen as an interesting representation of Germanic culture and traditions, and can give insight into the social lives and roles of those who carried on the name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchliephak: Where does the name Schliephak come from?
The surname Schliephak is commonly found in Germany, specifically in Bavaria. Records show that its origins go back to the Middle Ages when the names were used to denote individuals from the village of Schliefach in Bavaria. It is likely that most, if not all, individuals with the surname Schliephak today are descendants of those living in Platolet or Schliefach villages during the Middle Ages.
Though Schliephak is a relatively uncommon name, there can be found some individuals in many German states. The majority of Schliephaks however can be found living in Bavaria or in its surrounding states, such as Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Wurttemberg, Hesse, and Thuringia.
The name is also slightly more common in neighboring countries, such as Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are fewer than 2,000 individuals with the surname Schliephak. The only exceptions are the United States, where the name can be found more frequently, as many German immigrants from the 19th and early 20th centuries adopted the surname upon arriving in the country.
Though it is not a name one will find very often, it is still relatively common in Germany and the remaining countries of German-speaking Europe.
Variations of the surname Schliephak
The spelling and surname variants of Schliephak come from the German language. It is most often seen spelled as Schliefhacke, Schliephake, Schliefhak, Schliepahck, Schliephak, Schliefheike, Schliefhacker, Schliephal, and Schlyfhake.
Schliephak is believed to be a habitational name derived from a place called Schliefheike located in Brandenburg, Germany. The suffix “-heike”, which in German means “hay”, could suggest that this place was an area of mown hay. It may also mean that the original bearer of the surname was a haymaker.
The spelling variations of Schliefhacke are thought to be derived from the dialect or language of the person who initially made use of the name. Variations may occur due to regional and linguistic differences in German and other languages. For example, the use of ‘ck’, ‘h’, and ‘f’ were all common variants of the letter ‘c’ in different regions and during different time periods.
Variants of the surname found outside Germany include: Sclephack, Clephack, Schlypick, Schlypahk, Schlepahk, and Shliphack.
The most common variant of the surname found within Germany is Schliephak. It is believed that the spelling variations of this name were originally used to differentiate amongst lineages of the same family, making them easily identifiable. Local dialects still influence spelling variations to this day.
Famous people with the name Schliephak
- Kurt Schliephake: German actor who has acted in television series such as "Der letzte Bulle" and "Die Dornenvögel".
- Konrad Schliephake: German pediatrician and professor at the University of Leipzig.
- Hans-Joachim Schliephake: German soldier, Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross recipient, and prisoner of war in the Soviet Union.
- Rudolf-August Schliephake: German World War I flying ace credited with four aerial victories.
- Fabian Schliephake: German actor known for roles in films such as "Die Farben des Lebens" and "Im Schatten der Seele".
- Karsten Schliephake: German historian and museum director, as well as the author of several popular history books.
- Marlon Schliephake: German footballer who plays as a defender for FC Magdeburg and the Germany national under-18 team.
- Georg Schliephake: German zoologist and aquatic ecologist, best known for his work on the ecology of streams and rivers.
- Paul Schliephake: German architect and engineer whose notable projects include the Rheinpromenade, the Fabrikmodernisierung in Beckum, and a church renovation in Oberhausen.
- Mathias Schliephake: German Interior Ministry official, former detective, and expert witness in a renowned double murder case in Düsseldorf, Germany.