Surname Schlecht - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Discovering Heritage And Building Connections: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience
My iGENEA DNA test proved to be a fascinating journey of self-discovery. Through this process, I discovered the roots of my surname, Schlecht, and connected with distant Schlechts all over the globe, allowing me to better understand my family history.
I. Schlecht
read moreSchlecht: What does the surname Schlecht mean?
Schlecht is a German surname and it literally translates to "bad" or "poor" in English. However, this should not be interpreted as an inherent characterization of the individual bearing the name. It's important to remember that surnames historically often referred to a person’s occupation, location, or even a nickname. It is also worth noting that the meaning of a surname does not necessarily hold cultural or personal significance for those who possess it in the present day. The surname Schlecht could have potentially originated from a multitude of sources and its specific derivation is likely dependent upon the historical context in which it was first utilized. In some cases, this surname could also be Ashkenazic Jewish from a nickname derived from Yiddish shlekht 'bad'.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlecht: Where does the name Schlecht come from?
The last name Schlecht is most common in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Today, the surname is most often found in the German state of Bavaria, where nearly 5,000 people bear the surname. This makes it the 17th most common last name in Bavaria.
The surname has Germanic roots and originated from the word ''schlecht,'' which means ''bad'' or ''evil.'' This suggests that the surname may have been originally used to denote someone with a bad reputation or personality. An alternative explanation for the surname is that it may come from middle high German words ''schlechte'' meaning ''close,'' or ''little,'' which may be a reference to a person's humble origins or small stature.
The Schlecht surname is also found in the United States, Australia, and Canada, where it is most likely the result of emigration from the German-speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is also found in small numbers in Brazil, South Africa, and other parts of Europe.
In addition to its prevalence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the Schlecht surname is held by roughly 6,000 people in the United States, making it the 1,932nd most popular surname in the country.
Variations of the surname Schlecht
The surname Schlecht is an old German name with different regional variants and spellings, as well as other surnames derived from it but with different spellings.
The original spelling of the name is Schlecht, which is found mainly in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other areas with Germanic influence. It can also be spelt with regional variances such as Schlechte, Schlechtweg and Schlechter.
In other areas of Europe, the surname has also been spelt differently, such as Slecht in the Netherlands, and Šlecht and Slechta in Czech-speaking countries.
In addition to these variants, the surname has also appeared in different spellings as a result of immigration to other regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These spellings include Schlacht, Schlechter, Shlecht and Schacht.
Alternative surnames derived from the original Schlecht surname include Schelch, Schleicher, Schlecker, Schliesser, Schechter and Slechter.
The surname Schlecht has been around for centuries and has changed considerably over time, with different variations appearing in different countries. As more people moved to other countries, they adopted different spellings to reflect the local language.
Famous people with the name Schlecht
- Jessica Schlecht: American composer, songwriter, instrumentalist, singer and music producer.
- Eric Schlecht: Former Vice President of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
- Paul Schlecht: German classical composer and pianist.
- William Schlecht: Former president and CEO of commercial radio and internet company Westwood One, Inc.
- Al Schlecht: Major league baseball player from 1937 to 1943.
- Meryl Schlecht: Retired professional football player for the United States Football League.
- Adam Schlecht: Former American college football coach and player.
- Jessica Schlecht: Canadian journalist and TV anchor.
- Uwe Schlecht: German politician who served as a member of the Bundestag between 1994 and 2013.
- Jim Schlecht: Former American basketball coach.