Surname Lichtenscheidt - Meaning and Origin
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Lichtenscheidt: What does the surname Lichtenscheidt mean?
The last name Lichtenscheidt is of German origin and has two possible meanings.
The first meaning is derived from an old German term, “Lichten scheiden,” which means to separate. This likely referred to someone of a particular trade who was skilled in separating different materials. This could be a butcher, a Jeweller or someone in the wool trade.
The second meaning of the name could be linked to the Old German words “Licht” meaning “light”, and “Scheiden” meaning “to divide.” This could refer to someone who was dividing and dispersing light, such as a candle maker or perhaps someone who lit lamps in public areas.
Today the Lichtenscheidt surname can be found throughout much of Europe, with those bearing the name having taken part in a multitude of professions and trades throughout the centuries. Possible occupations may have included shopkeeper, doctor, soldier, farmer and carpenter.
Tracing this surname back can be difficult, as the name has been used for many generations. Nevertheless, many Lichtenscheidts have managed to trace their family origins all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when records of the name first appeared.
Whichever interpretation is correct, the last name Lichtenscheidt can be considered a reference to a person's occupation and thus provides an interesting insight into one's family's past.
Order DNA origin analysisLichtenscheidt: Where does the name Lichtenscheidt come from?
The last name Lichtenscheidt is of German origin and is still most common in mainland Europe today. It’s most popular in Germany, where it ranks as the 825th most common surname in the country. It’s also present in Austria, where it’s the 1156th most common name, and in Switzerland, where it’s the 946th most common.
It is also present in smaller numbers in other German-speaking countries such as Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and parts of Belgium and the Czech Republic. The name is also represented in various forms in parts of central Europe, such as Poland and the former Yugoslavia, and is likely to originate from German immigration to the region beginning in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Outside of Europe, the name Lichtenscheidt is also present in the United States, where it is among the 50,000 most common surnames. It is more likely to be found in states that have historically welcomed German immigrants, such as Texas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. As with its European families, those in the United States are likely to have their roots in late 19th century migration to the US from German speaking areas.
Overall, the most prevalent areas for the last name Lichtenscheidt are still found in mainland Europe, though smaller numbers are present elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Lichtenscheidt
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lichtenscheidt include Lichtenstern, Lichtenstein, Lichtenberg, Lichti, Lichtenberger, Lichtenscheid, Lichtendahl, Lichtman, Lichtenwalter, Lichtenberger, and Lichtenwalter.
The surname Lichtenscheidt is derived from the word "lichten," meaning "to shine." It is a common German name with roots in Germany and other German-speaking countries, including Austria and Switzerland. It is also common among Jewish families who were forced to adopt surnames during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The earliest known record of the name appears in the mid 16th century, when it was spelled Lichtenstern. Over time, the spelling has changed, with much of the variation occurring within the same family. For example, some branches of the Lichtenstern family later assumed the name Lichtenstein. Later still, some of the Lichtensterns and Lichtensteins adopted the name Lichti, while other branches of the family became Lichtenscheid or Lichtendahl.
Lichtman is another spelling variation of the surname, originating in the south of Germany. Other related surnames include Lichtenberger and Lichtenwalter, and while these names are slightly different, they are all descended from the original Lichtenscheidt family.
In conclusion, the variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lichtenscheidt include Lichtenstern, Lichtenstein, Lichtenberg, Lichti, Lichtenberger, Lichtenscheid, Lichtendahl, Lichtman, Lichtenwalter, Lichtenberger, and Lichtenwalter. The origin of the name -- "lichten," meaning "to shine" -- expresses the bright, enduring legacy of the original Lichtenscheidt family.
Famous people with the name Lichtenscheidt
- Martin Lichtenscheidt: German television presenter
- Hendrik Lichtenscheidt: German journalist
- Frédéric Lichtenscheidt: Belgian actor
- Natan Lichtenscheidt: Israeli film director
- Michael Lichtenscheidt: American ice hockey player
- Samuel Lichtenscheidt: German scientist
- Johannes Lichtenscheidt: German actor
- Kurt Lichtenscheidt: German actor
- Friederike Lichtenscheidt: German film maker
- Henryk Lichtenscheidt: German lawyer