Surname Ledfuß - Meaning and Origin
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Ledfuß: What does the surname Ledfuß mean?
The last name Ledfuß is a German surname that has roots in the German language. Translated, it literally means "lead foot", referencing a person's movements or actions. This name likely was given to someone who was very active or lively. It could also have been a way to subtly express a person's agility or speed.
The use of the '-fuß' suffix in German surnames was most likely a reference to the original occupation or trade of a specific family. For example, names ending in -fuß also could indicate a woodworker or wheelwright, which suggests that the Ledfuß family may be of a long line of artisans.
In times of both old and new, surnames such as Ledfuß can be seen as a meaningful way of identifying families or imparting symbolism upon them. As a surname, this name suggests that one's family had a long history of active and dynamic lives, of being true to their craft and of living life in motion.
Order DNA origin analysisLedfuß: Where does the name Ledfuß come from?
The last name Ledfuß (sometimes incorrectly spelled Ledfuss) is most commonly found today in Germany. It is estimated that the name is held by roughly 1,500 people in that country, although it is possible to find some individuals with the name living elsewhere in Europe.
In Germany, the name Ledfuß is a habitational surname, which originates from a place with the same name in North Rhine-Westphalia. The practice of taking on a name from a place of origin is quite common throughout Europe.
The name Ledfuß itself is derived from an old German term meaning "lily foot," which likely refers to a flower native to the region.
The name first appears in records in the early 17th century in Bavaria, and possibly has Saxon origins. In 1525, the written form of the name was Ledvüsse, which then evolved to Ledfuß in later years.
It is quite likely that families bearing the name Ledfuß in Germany today are descended from these original families, so that their history and shared origin link them together.
Variations of the surname Ledfuß
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ledfuß are Lefuß, Leffuss, Lefuss, Lefusser, Lifuß, Lifuss, Lifus, Lifusser, Ledfusser, Leufuss, and Leifuss.
Ledfuß is an occupational surname, derived from the German language term “Lederfuss”, which translates to ‘one who makes or repairs shoes with leather soles’. It is also believed to have an alternative origin, derived from the term ‘lederfieder’, which means ‘one who feathers with leather’.
As an occupational surname, Ledfuß may have been passed down the generations, as were the variations in spelling its name. Examples include Lefuß, Leffuss, Lefuss, Lefusser, Lifuß, Lifuss, Lifus, Lifusser, Ledfusser, Leufuss and Leifuss.
The spelling of this surname may have also been adapted over time as a locative one, as people moved to different towns and regions and the spelling may have needed to fit into their local pronounciation.
Although the spelling of Ledfuß may have changed over time, it is believed that this surname is of German origin. Ledfuß is found mainly in Germany, although examples of the surname have been found in Austria, Switzerland and the United States.
In some cases, the surnames listed here may have merged together, with families that have different spellings of this surname moving into the same area, subsequently changing their surname to one shared spelling.
Although the spelling and variants of Ledfuß may have changed over time, this surname is still known as an occupational name of German origin. It is likely that in time, only certain variations of the name, such as Lefuß and Ledfusser, will remain, but its associated occupation will always be remembered.
Famous people with the name Ledfuß
- Noam Ledfuß: Former Israeli footballer
- Ulrike Ledfuß: German singer
- Jean Ledfuß: Swiss-born boxer
- Henning Ledfuß: German footballer
- Barbara Ledfuß: English Jazz pianist
- Kaspar Ledfuß: Austrian-born jazz drummer
- Stefan Ledfuß: German TV actor
- Ulla Ledfuß: German actress and oldest daughter of former German president Johannes Rau
- Tom Ledfuß: Austrian pianist, composer and arranger
- Heinrich Ledfuß: German diplomat and former ambassador to the United Nations