Surname Schlichting - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing My Schlichting Ancestry: A Voyage of DNA Discovery with iGENEA
Discovering my Viking heritage and unexpected familial connections through a DNA test conducted at iGENEA has drastically reshaped my perspective of my family history, prompting a reevaluation of my self-perception and understanding of the Schlichting lineage.
H. Schlichting
read moreSchlichting: What does the surname Schlichting mean?
Schlichting is a German surname that is derived from the Middle Low German word "slichten," which means 'to smooth' or 'to level.' The name may have originated as a nickname for a mediator or a diplomat, someone who smooths over or resolves disputes. It could also be an occupational name for someone who levels ground for construction, or perhaps a maker of some object that required smoothing. Like many surnames, Schlichting may have different origins or meanings in different regions or families. It is common in Northern Germany, and also found in the Netherlands, suggesting a possible Dutch or Low German origin. Today, people with this surname can be found around the world, particularly in places with a history of German immigration such as the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlichting: Where does the name Schlichting come from?
The last name Schlichting is most commonly found in Germany today. The surname originated in Lower Saxony, Germany, and is derived from the German word for “woodland”. It has been recorded as Schlichting since the 1300s when it was used as a geographical reference or birth location.
There are many variations of the spelling of Schlichting like Schlichtin, Schlechtin, Schlitten, Schlitting, Schlittner, Shlichtin, Schlichtinger, Schlechten, Schlechting, and Schlyting. This surname is still extremely popular in Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Lower Saxony. According to 2019 data from Statista, Schlichting was the 94th most common surname in Germany.
The emigration of this surname was mainly to North America, particularly to the United States. A good percentage of Schlichting immigrants settled in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Some also spread to areas in Canada like Alberta and Ontario. As of 2018 records from Ancestry, the United States had more than 20,000 people with the name Schlichting.
The Schlichting surname continues to thrive in Germany and in the United States. With such a strong frequency and presence in both countries, it seems that this surname will have a continued presence in the coming years.
Variations of the surname Schlichting
The surname Schlichting is a German surname derived from the word schlicht, which means 'simple' or 'plain'. Variants of this name include Schlicht, Schlichtling, Schlicher, Schlykting, Shlicking, Schlicting, and Schelting.
There are also numerous compound surnames derived from Schlichting, such as Schlichtinger, Schlichtig, Schlichtinger, and Schlichter. Additionally, many geographic variants of the name exist, such as Schlichtingen, Schlichtemeier, Schlichtheim, Schlichthurm, and Schlichtwiese.
When the name is found in other areas of the world, the spelling may be somewhat different. For instance, the same name is sometimes spelled Schlick, Schlik, Shlik, Schlych, Shlikteyn, Schlichtman, Schlicke, Schlichtenberg, and Schlicktenberg, among others.
In some cases, immigrants may have had their surname changed to a form that better fits a certain language. For instance, Schlichting may be found in different cultures as Slichting, Schliting, and even Llichting.
Finally, many of the aforementioned spellings appear in various compound versions. Examples include Shliktinger, Schlicktinger, Shliktingh, Schlicktingh, as well as Shlyktinger and Schlicktmeier.
Famous people with the name Schlichting
- Hermann Schlichting (1875-1948): German aerodynamics pioneer, an important figure in the development of modern fluid mechanics.
- Otto Schlichting, Jr. (1904-1980): German World War 2 fighter pilot who flew the iconic Messerschmitt Me-109 and the jet-powered Messerschmitt Me-262.
- Rudolf Schlichting (1910-1965): prominent German cardiologist who developed the concept of cardiac cycle.
- Helmut Schlichting (1914-2006): German chemist and professor, one of the pioneers of modern polymer chemistry.
- Klaus Schlichting (born 1933): former German football goalkeeper.
- Uwe Schlichting (born 1947): German professor of mathematics at the University of Kiel.
- Christian Schlichting (1948-2013): German professor of chemistry at the University of Munich.
- Dirk Schlichting (born 1955): German lawyer, professor of public law and former Secretary of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Jan-Hendrik Schlichting (born 1978): German engineer and professor at the Technical University of Munich.
- Jessica Schlichting (born 1980): American contemporary visual artist.