Surname Leithel - Meaning and Origin
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Leithel: What does the surname Leithel mean?
The last name Leithel is of German origin. The name is composed of two elements, "leuth" meaning people or race, and "el" meaning God.
As such, the name can be interpreted to mean "people of God" or "God's people". In German-speaking countries during the Medieval and Renaissance periods, this name was most likely given to individuals perceived to be of great faith and loyal to the church.
More recently, the Leithel surname has been associated with the German writer Heinrich Leithel von Köhnen, who was born in 1722. He wrote the first modern play in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland in 1775.
The Leithel surname is also found in America among the early immigrants who came to the country from Germany in the 1800s. It is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
Today, those with the last name Leithel are still seen as being deeply religious, loyal and committed to their faith. They are considered warm, friendly people who are faithful to their families and communities. This name is now relatively rare, but individuals bearing the Leithel name can be found scattered around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLeithel: Where does the name Leithel come from?
The last name Leithel is most commonly found in the United States today. Since the early twentieth century, the Leithel surname has predominantly been found in Midwestern and Southern states, with the most populous region of surnames being found in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. In addition, the name can also be found in many other states such as Texas, Pennsylvania, California, and New York.
Within the United States, the highest concentration of the Leithel name can be found around the Great Lakes Region. Although the name originated as a German name, which has been traced back to Bavaria in the eighteenth century, the largest concentrations of people with this surname in today’s times are found within the United States.
In the twenty-first century, the Leithel name has also started to become more prominent throughout Canada, as more immigrants emigrate from the United States into Canada. However, the numbers are still small compared to the population in the United States.
Overall, it appears that the Leithel surname is more common in the United States than anywhere else in the world. It is predominant in the Midwest and South, with people in the Great Lakes Region having the highest concentration of the surname. Consequently, if one is trying to trace their family history or locate distant relatives, the United States is the best place to start the search.
Variations of the surname Leithel
The surname Leithel has a variety of spellings and variants depending on the region of origin. In some countries, such as Germany, it is spelled as Leithel. In other countries, like the United States, it may be spelled as Leithel, Leuthold, Leitthaus, or Leutholt. It may also appear as Leithelm, Leutholtz, or Leittle in certain areas.
A variety of surnames with the same root or origin as Leithel have also been identified. These variations include Leithoff, Laythell, Lieuhel, Leadheim, Leiedel, Leythell, Leedig, Liedholz, Liitthaus, Ledheld, or Liedel.
In Germany, Leithold became a popular spelling of the surname. In certain areas of England, Lieuhel became a preferred variation of the name. In other countries, such as the United States, the surname is more commonly spelled Leithel, though many variants and spellings are known.
In the United States, the surname is usually associated with German, Swiss, or Dutch ancestry. Other descendants of the surname can be traced to Britain, Ireland, and other parts of Europe.
The Leithel surname is derived from a combination of strong Germanic roots, such as the German word “leit”, meaning “a flood” or “a river”, and an old suffix that indicates a person who lives near a certain place. In ancient Germanic texts, the corresponding phrase to the name Leithel was “from the stream”. It is therefore likely that the Leithel surname was given to those who lived near a river or a stream.
The surname Leithel has remained an important part of family histories across many countries, having been passed down through generations and evolved with numerous variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name Leithel
- Bernd Leithel: Austrian World War II Wehrmacht major.
- Philipp Leithel: German author and playwright.
- Kelly Leithel: American actress.
- Kari Leithel: Finnish singer-songwriter.
- Carl Leithel: German-born American architect.
- Kelly Leithel: American comedian and stand-up artist.
- Ray Leithel: American jazz musician and composer.
- Erika Leithel: German scientist specializing in mathematics and economics.
- Maurice Leithel: French World War I fighter pilot.
- Andrew Leithel: British newspaper editor.