Surname Lechenich - Meaning and Origin
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Lechenich: What does the surname Lechenich mean?
The last name Lechenich is of German origin and has a history dating back to at least the 14th century. It is believed to be a patronymic name derived from the given name of a father, usually that of the first known person to use the name (the original ancestor). The name likely came from the Middle High German 'leichenich' which means "little leader". In addition, the element ‘vich’ is also found in many old German place names and suggests an origin from the area of Westphalia in Germany.
The name is associated with military activities and appears to have been used by several German families, mainly in the 1500 to 1700s, primarily in the region of Westphalia. During this time, the Lechenich family was known for particular skill in the art of warfare and this is memorialized in the family crest which is a shield with three crosses with the upper left-hand corner containing a falcon.
Although the last name Lechenich has long been associated with war, those with the name today more likely hail from Westphalia or nearby and are more likely peacemakers than warriors. Those who proudly carry the Lechenich name today are likely proud of its long and storied history and its origin in Germany of old.
Order DNA origin analysisLechenich: Where does the name Lechenich come from?
The last name Lechenich is most commonly found in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This area encompasses the cities of Mainz, Koblenz, Trier and Speyer, and is situated on the left bank of the Rhine River. It borders the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg. While small pockets of the population with the Lechenich name can be found in other German states and parts of Europe, it is predominantly localized in Rhineland-Palatinate.
The name is thought to have been derived from a place name in pre-medieval times. Lechenich itself is a small village in Rhein-Erft-Kreis, situated between the two larger towns of Bergheim and Brühl. It is known for its 17th century castle and Baroque church.
Through records and online databases, we can trace the origins of the Lechenich name back to earlier generations of the same family. It is reported that some of the earliest Lechenich ancestors originate from settlements along the Moselle River. The castle in Lechenich is believed to have first been mentioned in the 13th century.
Today, descendants of the Lechenich family can be found living in various countries, including Germany, the United States and Canada. However, their ancestral home still remains in Rhineland-Palatinate, where the name continues to be well-known and respected.
Variations of the surname Lechenich
The surname Lechenich is of German origin and is believed to be derived from a spelling variation of its earlier form, Laechenich. The most common variants of Lechenich include Lechner, Leckner, Lechenich, Lerchner, Lerschner, Lechenicher, Lehcner, and Langer.
The spelling variations of Lechenich are relatively common among German surnames. For example, the Lechenich surname is often seen with an “e” replacing the “a” in Laechenich, or vice versa. Additionally, the “l” and “r” are sometimes swapped in spelling variations such as Leckner, Lechenicher, and Lehcner.
Surnames derived from the Lechenich origin may also be spelled as Laichenich, Leichenich, Leichnich, Liechenich, Lichnich, and even Loichenich. These spellings typically appear with an “e” replacing the “a” in Laechenich.
Many surnames derived from the Lechenich origin include variants of the word “son”, such as Lechner, Lerschner and Langer. Lechner refers to the name of a son of Lechenich, while Lerschner refers to the son of Lechenicher. Langer is a Middle Low German variant of Leckner, which literally translates to “son of Lechenich.”
Overall, the surname Lechenich has many common spelling variations and surnames of the same origin. These variations are often seen with an “e” replacing the “a” in Laechenich, or vice versa. The most common variations are Lechner, Leckner, Lechenich, Lerschner, Lechenicher, Lehcner, and Langer. Variations also include Laichenich, Leichenich, Leichnich, Liechenich, Lichnich, and Loichenich, among others.
Famous people with the name Lechenich
- Sebastian Lechenich: German football goalkeeper who plays for TSG Hoffenheim II.
- Andreas Lechenich: German author, poet and theologian.
- Hanna Lechenich-Holzner: Austrian legal research scholar specializing in European law, international public law, and legal theory.
- Bettina Lechenich: German medical doctor and member of German Medical Association.
- Paul Lechenich: German amateur sailor who won the title of Germany's Yacht of the Year in 2019.
- Anton Lechenich: German figure skater and two time German national champion.
- Max Lechenich: German ski jumping athlete who represented Germany at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Joachim Lechenich: German volleyball player who played in the German top division of the sport for many years. 9.Friedrich Lechenich: German professor of political science, specializing in the history and current developments of international relations.
- Franz Lechenich: German painter, printmaker, and sculptor from the early twentieth century.