Surname Schleelein - Meaning and Origin
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Schleelein: What does the surname Schleelein mean?
The last name Schleelein is derived from the German word “schleicher”, which literally translates to “sly or cunning”. The name Schleelein is thought to have been bestowed upon a cunning or sly individual living in Germany many centuries ago. Eventually, the last name “Schleelein” was adopted by several families who continued to pass the name down to generations. German naming conventions prevented the last name from evolving beyond the original spelling, leading to a wide distribution of the name throughout Germany.
Today, those bearing the last name Schleelein are scattered throughout the world, though a majority still remain in central Europe. Although the origin of the name suggests a certain level of cunningness and focuses on an individual’s personality traits, few individuals with the surname Schleelein today have any direct knowledge of the original meaning of their family’s last name.
Though the surname Schleelein is obviously still being used, it continues to hold a certain air of mystery. Its bearer stands out from the crowd, and its unique history is still unknown to many people. Despite the mystery and lack of specific information about Schleelein, the name still serves as a reminder of Germany’s long lasting history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisSchleelein: Where does the name Schleelein come from?
The surname Schleelein is most commonly found today in Germany. It is thought to have originated in Bavaria, particularly among the Palatinate region, during the 16th century. Around 1360 a Johann Schleelein first appears in Bavarian records, and throughout the centuries those bearing the name settled all around the region.
More recently, the surname appears to have been most strongly concentrated in Oberpfalz and Middle Franconia regions, particularly around the city of Nuremberg. However, today there are many Schleelein families that have spread beyond Bavaria. The name is found throughout Germany, but it also appears in other parts of Europe, including Holland, Austria and Switzerland. In the 20th century, some families bearing the name Schleelein ventured beyond Europe, settling in both the United States and Canada.
The population of those with the last name Schleelein is estimated to be around 17,000 people today. It ranks as the country's 512 most common surname.
Variations of the surname Schleelein
Schleelein is an uncommon but widely-dispersed surname, found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and Austria-Hungary. It is most commonly found in Germany, where it is written as Schleele or Schlelein. It is the German equivalent of the English name "Little", and literally means "little one".
Schleelein can also be spelled as Schleele, Schlellein, Schleele, Schleelin, Schlelen, Schleelin, Schlen, Schlenkin, Schlein, Schleine, Schleylein, Schleylin, Schleylke, Schlielen, Schlielin, Schliele, Schlien, Schlienle, Schliene, Schlieln, Schlenel, Schlenell, Schlenil, Schlienkin, Schlin, Schluele, Schluelen, Schluelin, Schluein, Schlule, Schllein, and Schlülein.
The surname has many variants, based on regional spelling variations and dialects. The most common variant found in Germany is Schleele, and the most popular spelling in Austria is Schlele. Other variants include Schlellein, Schlen, Schlenkin, Schlien, and Schlielen.
In the United States, the Schleelein surname is also found, although it tends to be spelled differently. Variations include Chlele, Chleele, Scheele, Schallen, Schel, Sheelin, Sheele, Sheerlein, Shiel, Schleien, Schleehlin, Schleehn, and Schleele.
Schleelein is sometimes shortened to Slen or Slenkin, and ultimately descended from the German surname Schlenkin. Other surnames of similar origins include Schlenz, Schlenzen, and Schlenzing.
Famous people with the name Schleelein
- Alexander Schleelein: Alexander Schleelein was a German gymnast who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the team event, and also participated in the vault event.
- Bruce Schleelein: Bruce Schleelein was a professional American football player who played offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, and went on to play five seasons with the Vikings.
- Hiroshi Schleelein: Hiroshi Schleelein was a professional Japanese ice hockey player who played in Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments and later coached the Japanese national team.
- Harald Schleelein: Harald Schleelein was a German Olympic swimmer who competed in the early 1900s. He won several medals at German championships during his career.
- Emil Schleelein: Emil Schleelein was a German mathematician and physicist who also published works on philosophy. He was born in 1866 and studied in Berlin and Göttingen, later holding a professorship at the University of Vienna.
- Kirsten Schleelein: Kirsten Schleelein was a German alpine skier who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. She also won gold and silver medals at the world championships in 1987.
- Herrn Walther Schleelein: Herrn Walther Schleelein was a German Lutheran pastor who served as a chaplain in the German navy during World War I. He later wrote memoirs about his experience during the war.
- Anne Schleelein: Anne Schleelein is a contemporary German artist whose works explore themes of identity, politics, place, time, and gender. Her works have been in shown in galleries and museums around the world.