Surname Leichtfuhs - Meaning and Origin
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Leichtfuhs: What does the surname Leichtfuhs mean?
The surname Leichtfuhs is a German name that likely derived from two elements. The first element is the German word leicht, which means "light" or "easy" and the second element is the word fuhs, which likely comes from the Germanic word fuhs which was used to describe "shepherd or herdsman." Combined, the name is likely interpreted to mean “light shepherd” or “easy shepherd.”
Leichtfuhs was likely one of the occupational surnames used in the Middle Ages. Many German nobleman and wealthy merchants at the time relied heavily on professional shepherds to oversee their flocks. The Leichtfuhs name could be traced to those early shepherds who took pride in their craft and expertise. It speaks to the level of knowledge and skill they had in caring and maintaining their flocks, hence the name light shepherd.
Since the Middle Ages, the Leichtfuhs surname has become more widespread and today can be found in various regions outside of Germany. While the literal translation of the surname may have been lost in the ages, its symbolic meaning persists. This name is still a reminder of the hardworking shepherds and their dedication to their craft.
Order DNA origin analysisLeichtfuhs: Where does the name Leichtfuhs come from?
The surname Leichtfuhs is likely derived from the German word "leicht," meaning "light" or "easy," and the patronymic ending "-fuhs," which when taken together with the root word suggests that its original bearers were agile or swift individuals. Today, the surname Leichtfuhs is most common in Germany, where it ranks as the 8,929th most common name. Variations of the surname can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, though the name is significantly less common in these countries than it is in Germany. Outside of Europe, the surname is virtually unheard of, and it is virtually non-existent in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Leichtfuhs
Leichtfuhs is a surname of German origin, which can be spelt and pronounced differently in some locations. Some of the common variants and spellings of the name include Lichtfuß, Lichtfuss, Leichtfuß, Leichtfußman, Leichtfussman, Lichtfußman, Lichtfüss, Leichtfüss, Lichtfüssman, Leichtfüssman, and Leichtfuhsman.
The most common variant of the name is Lichtfuß or Lichtfuss, however, the use of the letter ‘u’ has grown in recent years and is becoming more popular in place of the ‘o’ found in the original spelling. The ‘man’ ending is typically used in the German dialect, but is not a requirement when spelling the name.
There are also some other surnames which are derived from the Leichtfuhs family name. The surnames include Leicht, Leichtfeld, Leichtfeldt, Leichthaus, Lichterman, Lichtman, and Lichtsinn.
Those who bear the Leichtfuhs surname typically trace their lineage to either the area around Erfurt, Thuringia, or to some of the German-speaking countries in the former Eastern Bloc.
The surname is still found frequently throughout Germany and other parts of Europe, although it is becoming rarer due to surnames becoming less common in many regions.
Famous people with the name Leichtfuhs
- Paolo Leichtfuhs, Brazilian actor born in 1982.
- Hubertus von Leichtfuhs, German economist and politician who studied at the universities of Bonn, Buenos Aires and Cologne.
- Erich Leichtfuhs, German agrarian politician and mayor of the town of Passau in Bavaria from 1929-1933.
- Juan Antonio Leichtfuhs, Argentine bobsledder and Olympic competitor who has represented his country in numerous international competitions.
- Valerio Leichtfuhs, Italian actor and film director, born in 1976.
- Oskar Leichtfuhs, German jurist, legal scholar and author who wrote on the law of church-state relations.
- Eduard-Heinrich Leichtfuhs, German geologist and naturalist who collected fossils and species in the Middle East and Europe.
- Gabriel Leichtfuhs, Chilean professional basketball player.
- Nonie Leichtfuhs, American professional bobsledder.
- David Leichtfuhs, German former professional footballer who played as a defender.