Surname Schleiger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schleiger: What does the surname Schleiger mean?
Schleiger is a German surname derived from the Middle High German words 'schleig' or 'schleicher', which translates to ‘travelling worker’ or ‘foot soldier’. As such, the earliest recorded bearers of this name were most likely travelling minstrels, soldiers or entertainers.
In the 18th century, the Schleiger family was mostly found in Southern Germany, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. The original Schleigers were Eckles Schleigers who lived in the town of Zagenstetten, now part of Meßkirch, in the district of Sigmaringen, in Baden-Württemberg. Records suggest that the Schleiger family mainly worked as subsistence farmers, and later as day laborers in the marble and stone quarries of the area.
Over time, the prevalence of this name has spread throughout Europe, particularly to Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Nowadays, the Schleiger surname can be found most frequently in the United States, where it is the 4,718th most common family name.
Despite its relatively low ranking in terms of popularity, the name Schleiger carries a certain legacy and history with it. Despite hundreds of years passing by, the name still carries the same meaning it did centuries ago, alongside a new cultural identity. It speaks to the endurance of family over the passing of time, and the meaningful connections that span generations.
Order DNA origin analysisSchleiger: Where does the name Schleiger come from?
The last name Schleiger is most commonly found today in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is thought to be a German occupational surname, derived from the word Schleiger, meaning “locker,” or “key maker.” Thus, it is likely that Schleiger began as an occupational surname for someone who made, or worked with, locks.
Schleiger is not a uniquely well-known last name, due to its prevalence in German-speaking countries. In Germany, Schleiger is considered a fairly rare surname, with only a few hundred individuals bearing the name. In Austria, Schleiger is quite a bit more common, and could be found in around 1,200 households in 2011. The name is even more commonly found in Switzerland, where it has been registered in 3,600 households as of 2011.
Though not particularly well-known in other countries, especially those outside of Europe, the Schleiger last name is still commonly found in German-speaking countries in Europe today, in both urban and rural areas.
Variations of the surname Schleiger
The surname Schleiger is a German name derived from the word ‘schlager’ meaning ‘a hit or winner’. It is a common surname in both Germany and the United States of America where a considerable number of German immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Schleiger include Schleiger, Schleyer, Schlieger, Schleiger, Schlager, Schlag, Schleyg, Schlayg, Schlegg, Schlege, Schlesiger, Schlieser, Schliesser, Schlesky, Schlisser, Schleyer and Schleisser.
The surnames Schlegel, Schlegelmilch and Schleich are not related to the Schleiger surname, but descended from another root.
Schleiger is a relatively rare surname, although there have been some notable individuals bearing it, such as the American composer Al Schleiger, the German professional footballer Matthias Schleiger and the German artist and teacher, Karl Schleiger.
The Schleiger family is found in the US, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Russia, although the numbers of individuals bearing the name in each of these countries is relatively small. Some Schleigers have even emigrated to Australia, South Africa and other countries across the world over the course of history.
Famous people with the name Schleiger
- Grant Schleiger: American soccer player. He currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.
- Marcus Schleiger: German actor best known for his roles in films like Autism as a Gift, Sommer Finale, and Ray and Liz.
- Richard Schleiger: Austrian film director and screenwriter, best known for his work on films like Svázaný s minulostí, Die Reise nach Westen, and Schlaraffenland.
- Arno Schleiger: Austrian composer best known for his musical scores for films like Eine besondere Vergangenheit, and Willkommen zu Hause.
- Paul Schleiger: American political staffer who served as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the United States during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.
- Marshall Schleiger: American businessman, co-founder and chairman of Schleiger Group, Inc. Marshall is known for his philanthropic work with several organisations, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- Arnold Schleiger: German actor known for his roles in television shows like Altes Geld, and films like Der Tag danach and Der Tunnel.
- Sebastian Schleiger: Austrian art director, designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work on films like The Dark Valley, and The White Ribbon.
- George Schleiger: American politician who served as a state representative in the Wisconsin Legislature from 1885 to 1889.
- Larry Schleiger: American film producer known for his work on films like The Angels' Share, and Devil's Gate.