Surname Schlee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schlee: What does the surname Schlee mean?
Schlee is a German surname. Like many surnames, its origin and meaning are not concretely established and can only be speculated upon. One possibility is that it derives from the Middle High German word "schlē" which means "lazy" or "sluggish". The surname might have been given originally as a nickname to a lazy or slow-moving person. Another perspective suggests that it may be related to the word Schlei, a body of water in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, thus implying geographic origin. However, without substantial evidence or documents tracing back its history, it's hard to affirm its exact meaning. It's also important to note that surnames evolved over time and their modern form may be far detached from the original meaning. Thus, today, Schlee, like many surnames, is treated more as a family identifier rather than carrying a specific meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlee: Where does the name Schlee come from?
The last name Schlee is most common today in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It can also be found in the United States and Canada, although it is much less frequent there.
The origin of the name Schlee dates back to the Middle Ages in German-speaking countries. During this time, the name Schlee was primarily given to families living in the Thuringia region of Germany. The prefix "schle" indicates that the families were of a lower socioeconomic status, likely indicating that they were sharecroppers or peasant farmers.
Since then, the Schlee family has gradually spread throughout Germany. Today, Schlee is one of the top 50 last names in Germany, with an estimated 115,000 people bearing the name. It is particularly common in the regions of Brandenburg, Bavaria, and Saxony and is even more common in the cities of Berlin, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt.
In the United States and Canada, Schlee is much less common. The last name is currently listed as the 5,453rd most common last name in the United States, with an estimated 8,800 people bearing this last name across the country. This is 0.004% of all people listed in the U.S. census. In Canada, the name is currently listed as the 6,881st most common last name with an estimated 850 people bearing the name.
Variations of the surname Schlee
The surname ‘Schlee’ is of German origin, and is derived from the German word ‘schläe’, which means ‘peaks’. Variations of the name include Schleef, Schle, Schleer, Schley, Schlae, Schleyer, Schlegel and Schloegel. Other spellings and surnames that have the same origin include Schleef, Schleifer, Schliefer, Schlesiger, Schleifer, Schleiferth, Schieffer, Schlepper, Schlegel, Schlegeler and Schloegel.
The surname ‘Schlee’ is a common surname found throughout Germany, Austria and Central Europe. It is also found in the United States, primarily in areas with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In addition, variations of the name can be found in other parts of the world, including in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The name has been in existence since the Middle Ages and it is believed that those who bore it were involved in a variety of occupations, such as craftsmen, merchants, artisans, and farmers. In the modern era, ‘Schlee’ is still a widely used surname, although those who bear it now may work in any number of professions, from business to the arts and sciences.
Famous people with the name Schlee
- Max Schlee: Former German-Australian chess Grandmaster.
- Karl Lare Schlee: German/US botanist.
- John H. Schlee: American communications author and professor.
- Henry Osborn Schlee: American plant pathologist and entomologist.
- Jacob Schlee: German composer.
- Maurice Schlee: French poet.
- Jonathan Schlee: American 1980s rock musician.
- Michael Schlee: Canadian NBA retired basketball player.
- Melita Schlee: Croatian/German American movie actress.
- Richard Schlee: Dutch Dutch composer.
- Susanne Schlee: German author.
- William Schlee: American real estate businessman and investor.
- Samuel Skyquake Schlee: American Vice-Admiral and author.
- Herbert Schlee: German botanist.
- Charles Schlee: Canadian Canadian composer.
- Josip Schlee: Croatian doctor.
- Rudolf Schlee: Swiss portrait painter.
- Gerhard Schlee: German environmental scientist.
- Mary Schlee: American writer.
- Lisl Schlee: Austrian actress and dramatist.