Surname Slesinger - Meaning and Origin
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Slesinger: What does the surname Slesinger mean?
The last name Slesinger is of German origin, derived from the German word 'Slichtinger', which means 'descendents of a Slichting', a medieval Germanized noble family. The original Slichting family were a prominent, noble house that gained power and land in Europe during the Middle Ages. The name then evolved to Slesinger, which first appeared in written records in the mid-seventeenth century.
Moreover, the name is associated with the term ‘Schlesinger’, which translates loosely to ‘guardian of the door’ or ‘doorkeeper’. This comes from the Middle German words 'sliezen' and 'incgeren', which literally mean to close the door. This gives a sense of security and protection, likely what the original family believed they were providing as they watched over their land.
The Slesinger name is nonetheless a proud one, passed down through the generations and still widely used today. It is found in various forms, from its original German form to translations in English, Yiddish and Hebrew. In modern times, Slesinger is often associated with a sense of vigor and energy, as well as a pride in family and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSlesinger: Where does the name Slesinger come from?
The last name Slesinger is most common amongst Ashkenazi Jews. People with the last name Slesinger originally come from Eastern European countries, including Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. Today, Slesinger families are found primarily in the United States, Canada, Israel, and Germany.
In the United States, the states with the highest concentration of Slesinger families are New York, California, and Illinois. In the U.S., most Slesinger families are concentrated in metropolitan areas in these states, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami.
In Canada, the highest concentration of Slesingers is found in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015, there were 72 Slesinger families living in Toronto.
In Israel, the highest concentration of Slesinger families is to be found in the central area in and around Tel Aviv. The surname Slesinger is also found in cities such as Jerusalem, Haifa, and Netanya.
Finally, in Germany, the highest concentration of Slesinger families is in Berlin. Here, many immigrants from Eastern Europe settled after World War II, carrying the last name Slesinger with them.
Today, the last name Slesinger is most commonly associated with Ashkenazi Jews, but also exists among other populations; notably, there are some Slesingers who are German in origin and not of Jewish descent. However, the Slesinger name is a distinctly Jewish one and is still used by Jews all over the world today.
Variations of the surname Slesinger
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Slesinger can include Slesinger, Slesingr, Slesingerov, Slesingerová, Slesingrová, Slesingerowitz, Slesingor, Slesingerova, and Slesingeröww.
Slesinger is a German surname that has its origin among the Ashkenazi Jews. In the medieval times, when the Jews wandering in Europe were looking for refuge in different places, people in the Jewish communities were given names based on the town or region they were from. The name Slesinger likely had roots in the German town Slenziger which is now known as Ślęża in Poland. Thus, Slesinger, which sounded similar to the region's name, eventually became a common Ashkenazi Jewish surname.
As this Jewish diaspora spread farther and the surname became increasingly more popular, spelling variations and other surnames began to appear. Some of the spellings got influenced by other languages such as Czech, Polish, and Slovak. Slesinger, Slesingr, and Slesingerová from Czech, Slesingerowitz from Polish, and Slesingeröww from a German adaptation of the original name were some of the new spelling variations that were brought to the surface as a result of such an influence.
Given the complex history of the Jews, it is possible to come across a vast range of surnames that have their origin in the Slesinger family. While not all of them may be closely related, understanding the history of the surname can help us identify variants easily and impressively.
Famous people with the name Slesinger
- Stephen Slesinger: Stephen Slesinger was a literary entrepreneur and the first man to obtain the merchandising rights to Winnie-the-Pooh from creator A.A. Milne. Slesinger purchased Milne's rights in 1930 for a one-time sum of $1000 USD.
- Arthur Slesinger: Arthur Slesinger is the grandson of Stephen Slesinger, and is a lawyer well known for his work with fine art and collectibles. He has written several books on these topics, including Art Law Handbook and Collectibles Law Handbook.
- Louise Slesinger: Louise Slesinger was a prominent fashion designer who worked in the 1920s and 1930s. She specialized in elaborate evening gowns and casual wear and was well known for her ability to work quickly. Her designs were regularly featured in the pages of popular publications such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Town and Country.
- Lincoln Slesinger: Lincoln Slesinger is an American actor, famous for his roles in movies such as Swordfish (2001), Hitch (2005), and Lords of Dogtown (2005).
- John Slesinger: John Slesinger is the current president and chief executive officer at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. He has over 30 years of executive and financial management experience, and has held positions at major organizations such as Fidelity Investments and Lehman Brothers.
- Marjan Slesinger: Marjan Slesinger is a Dutch artist who works in multiple mediums, including painting, photography, and mixed media. Her work has been exhibited in multiple countries, including the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, the United States, and Canada.
- Jake Slesinger: Jake Slesinger is a music producer, mixing engineer, and songwriter who has worked on albums for artists such as Iggy Azalea, Jhené Aiko, and Ty Dolla $ign.