Surname Steinlechner - Meaning and Origin
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Steinlechner: What does the surname Steinlechner mean?
The surname Steinlechner is an occupational name which means “stone layer” in German. Steinlechner consists of two elements, “Stein” meaning “stone”, and “lechner”: derived from the Middle High German word "lechen," meaning “layer” - specifically, a “paver” or "stone layer." This surname indicates the family's ancient occupation in which they worked as stone layers for public works or in the construction of houses, churches, roads, and other public works. The family members would also have been involved in the quarrying and processing of stones, as well as the large blocks of stone which were needed in construction work.
Recorded in various spellings forms including Steinlechner, Steinlechnerell, and Steinlechners, this name is well recorded in Central Europe. Examples of essential recordings from surviving church registers include the christening of Gertrude Steinlechnerell on June 1st 1644, at Ebersbrunn, in Schlesien (then Prussian Silesia), the marriage of Johann Giessler and Katherine Steinlechnerell on October 14th 1718, at Sarasch, in Grosspolen (Greater Poland) and the christening of Caspar Steinlechner on October 19th 1728, at Seelbronn, now part of the province of Bavaria.
Today, the surname Steinlechner is still highly popular in Austria, Germany and French-speaking areas. It is a powerful reminder of the many people who lie behind the modern surnames of today and the distant ancestor who first assumed that they may have literally paved the way for their future families.
Order DNA origin analysisSteinlechner: Where does the name Steinlechner come from?
The last name Steinlechner is most common today in Austria and southern Germany. It is derived from the Old High German words 'stein' (stone) and 'lehener' (a legal term referring to a kind of feudal land tenure) and implies owning lands with a stony surface. In present day, the name is primarily found in Bavaria, and many Steinlechners are members of the Catholic church.
In addition, the last name is also relatively common in other countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in South America. Many Steinlechners have emigrated from Bavaria for various reasons such as economic opportunity and political instability in the early 19th century.
The Steinlechner's have a long and proud history in the Bavarian region and there are still many living Steinlechners who have stayed in the region and are able to trace their origins back many generations. For those living in other countries, they have had to create new identities and traditions, but many still proudly carry on their family's unique surname.
Overall, the last name Steinlechner is quite widely spread around the world, but it is most common in its native Bavarian homeland.
Variations of the surname Steinlechner
The Steinlechner surname is a German occupational surname, most commonly found in the regions of Bavaria and Austria, though it does have some international presence in Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'steinleiter', which translates to 'stone staircase builder.' Alternative spellings of the Steinlechner surname include Steiblechner, Steibleder, Steifleder, Steiflechner and Stieblechner.
Variant surnames often have interesting stories to tell about the family’s evolution over time. In the case of Steinlechner, some foreign spellings may have come about as a result of illiteracy or confusion stemming from an incorrect pronunciation of the original name. Surnames such as Steibleder, Steifleder, Steiflechner and Stieblechner could have derived from people living in Austria or Bavaria who stumbled upon either the spelling or sound of Steinlechner.
Though some people may have adopted these alternative spellings and surnames over the years, many variants have been maintained within the same family. This is a common phenomenon in areas of Central Europe, where the same surname has gone under various local adaptations as people moved around and settled in different parts of the continent. This suggests that the variants are not just the result of misspellings, but rather a conscious choice by the Steinlechner family over time to embrace new spellings of their surname.
No matter what variant you come across, the Steinlechner surname is always connected to those hardworking individuals of centuries past who crafted sturdy stone staircases throughout Europe.
Famous people with the name Steinlechner
- Ludwig Steinlechner: Austrian painter who mainly created landscapes and portraits
- Ingeborg Steinlechner: Austrian florist who represented Austria in the 46th Chelsea Flower Show in London in 2019
- Arnold Steinlechner: Austrian actor best known for playing Siegi Itschen in the crime drama theater, “Tatort”
- Franz Steinlechner: Austrian physician and pathologist who is remembered for his paper titled, "Die Ergebnisse Des Normalen Salzgehaltes in Der Muttermilch"
- Markle Steinlechner: Former Australian cricketer and current manager of the Melbourne Stars cricket team
- Aloisia Steinlechner: Austrian painter and sculptor who is best known for her works featuring outdoor scenes
- Charles Steinlechner: Austrian illustrator and graphic artist, widely known for his illustrations of Sigmund Freud
- Isidor Steinlechner: Austrian mineralogist and geologist who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Rosina Steinlechner: Austrian poet whose works often focused on nature and natural phenomena
- Andrea Steinlechner: Austrian tennis player who has represented her country at the Olympic level