Surname Schleevoigt - Meaning and Origin

Schleevoigt: What does the surname Schleevoigt mean?

The surname Schleevoigt is a German-language name that likely originated in the Northern and Eastern regions of Germany. The surname probably developed out of the terms schlechte ‘bad’, schlecht weg ‘badly away’, and voigt ‘official’, and is akin to the surname Schleichweg. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was an unfriendly or bad-tempered official or guider, or one who came from an area known as a bad way out.

Historically, a voigt was an official in the Holy Roman Empire, responsible for the enforcement of marshal law and to protect the public from violators of court rulings. In some parts of Germany, a voigt was also an official representative of the ruling authorities, charged with organizing court and court-related proceedings, registering and advising court members, and ensuring the law went unbroken. Combined with the term ‘bad’, this suggests that original bearers of the Schleevoigt surname were unpleasant or bad-tempered representatives of the authorities.

Today, the Schleevoigt surname is fairly uncommon, having almost no presence in many German-speaking areas. Such a surname may be of interest to those who have an interest in their Germanic ancestry and origins, as it connects them to a far-reaching cultural history.

Schleevoigt: Where does the name Schleevoigt come from?

The last name Schleevoigt is most commonly found in Germany, primarily in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, and Niedersachen. There is also a presence in Luxemburg and Liechtenstein.

In Germany, Schleevoigt is more concentrated in the Westphalia region in Northwest Germany, as this is the founder of the name's original homeland. Although Schleevoigts are still found in the region today, the greatest concentration is currently in the Metropolitan regions of Bayern and Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Within Nordrhein-Westfalen, the city of Köln and its surrounding regions record the highest number of individuals affiliated with the Schleevoigt surname. It is also relatively common in the cities of Essen, Bochum, Dortmund, and Duisburg.

Outside of Germany, there is a presence of Schleevoigts in the Netherlands in particular, although this is not unexpected given the historical proximity between the Germanic neighbouring countries.

The Schleevoigt name is recorded in parts of the United States as well, such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. These emigrants trace their heritage back to Germany and first arrived in the United States as far back as the 1700s.

Overall, the name Schleevoigt is still very common in parts of Europe today, although its historical base of Origin is concentrated in the region of Northwest Germany.

Variations of the surname Schleevoigt

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schleevoigt include: Schleefvoigt, Schlefanvoigt (or Schlefanfoigt), Schleemanvoigt, Schleemannvoigt, Schleevoight, Schleevoigt, Schleevenvoigt, and Schlefvoigt. These last names all originated from the same Old German surname that meant “courage of the people” or “people’s fighter.”

The surname Schleevoigt is of German origin and has been around for centuries. Early records of the family from the region can be found in documents dating back to the 16th century. The name is most commonly found in Germany, but also in Swedish and Dutch regions.

Spellings of the surname have evolved over time. For example, the German spelling is “Schleevoigt” and the Dutch spelling is “Schleeuvoigt,” while the Swedish spelling is “Schleeuvoigt.” Other variants of the name include “Schleefvoigt,” “Schlefanvoigt,” and “Schleemanvoigt.”

Surnames could also be derived from the first name of an ancestor. For example, if a person was called “Schleeman,” the surname would be “Schleemanvoigt” or “Schleemannvoigt.”

The name “Schleevoigt” is a patronymic surname in which the first part is derived from an ancestor’s given name. It is also part of the occupational surnames category, indicating a family who was a “soldier” or “fighter.”

In conclusion, the surname Schleevoigt has various spelling variations and surnames of the same origin stemming from the same Old German root. It is an occupational surname indicating a family of “soldier” or “fighter,” and is found in Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Schleevoigt

• Jens SchleeVoigt: German actor and composer.
• Ute SchleeVoigt: German mezzo-soprano opera singer.
• Philip SchleeVoigt: German film director.
• Hermann SchleeVoigt: German medical doctor.
• Friedrich SchleeVoigt: German politician from the CDU party.
• Jürgen SchleeVoigt: German footballer who won the 1994 UEFA Cup as a member of Borussia Dortmund's "Yellow Wall".
• Maren SchleeVoigt: German actress and singer.
• Ingo SchleeVoigt: German sports journalist and broadcaster.
• Klaus SchleeVoigt: German-American cardiologist.
• Lothar SchleeVoigt: German aviator who flew for both sides in World War 1.

Other surnames

Schleevogt