Surname Leitner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Delving into the Leitner Legacy: A Report on the Precision and Insight Provided by the iGENEA DNA Test
Taking the iGENEA DNA test has broadened my perspective on my family history and the Leitner surname. The quality and precision of the test offered surprising connections to Jewish roots while offering potential family links worldwide.
G. Leitner
read moreLeitner: What does the surname Leitner mean?
The German surname Leitner is an occupational name that originates from Latin 'leitnerius,' which means 'leather worker' or 'tanner.' It would have been originally given to individuals who worked with leather. The name is derived from the Middle High German terms 'leitære,' meaning 'tanner,' and 'leder,' meaning 'leather.' Over time, this occupational name passed down through generations as a family surname. Like many occupational surnames, the prevalence and distribution of the name Leitner depended greatly on the importance and scale of the leather industry in various regions in Europe. Today, the surname Leitner can be found among families of German and Central European origin.
Order DNA origin analysisLeitner: Where does the name Leitner come from?
The last name Leitner is of German origin, derived from the term 'leiten' which means to lead or guide and 'leiter' which means ladder or leader. It was originally an occupational name given to leaders, guides or ladder-makers. Thus, the name Leitner could imply 'one who leads', 'ladder maker' or similar connotations. Today, it is fairly widespread in Germany, particularly in the Southern part. However, it is also common in Austria and other German-speaking regions. Additionally, due to historical emigration waves, individuals bearing the Leitner surname can be found across different parts of the world, including the United States and other English-speaking countries. As with many surnames of German origin, variations of the name Leitner exist, depending on dialects and regional colloquialisms.
Variations of the surname Leitner
The surname Leitner has several different variants and possible spellings that have originated from the same root styles. These can include Leithner, Leitnner, Leitener, Laitner, Laitener, and Laytner among others. This multiple spellings reflect the history of surnames which were often written down based on how they sounded, leading to many different spelling variations.
The surname Leitner is chiefly found in Austria, Germany and parts of Central Europe. It is of occupational origin, derived from the Middle High German "leiten", meaning "to lead" or "to guide", and was originally given to a leader or guide.
In some cases, variations of the surname might also be traced to Jewish(German) origins. Variants could also include differentiating surnames like Leitenberger, Leitenbauer, or regional surnames like Leitnergasse, which denote someone from 'Leitner street'.
It is also important to remember that immigration and the transcribing of records could result in further variations of the name. For example, in English-speaking countries, Leitner could have been changed to Lightner or Littner. However, although these names may be similar, they may not necessarily have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Leitner
- Max Leitner: American hurdler
- Peter Leitner: former MLB pitcher
- Chaim Leitner: Israeli journalist
- Roman Leitner: Austrian singer
- Eugene Leitner: former boxing champion
- Josef Leitner: former Czechoslovakian football player
- Leopold Leitner: Austrian Industrialist
- Fritz Leitner: Austrian athlete
- Gustav Leitner: German naturalist
- Pierre Leitner: French composer
- Michael Leitner: American sports photographer
- Johnny Leitner: American actor
- Ludwig Leitner: German physicist
- Alexander Leitner: German physician and theologian
- Toni Leitner: Austrian film director
- Norbert Leitner: former East German ice hockey player
- Jan Leitner: Czech basketball player
- Ferenc Leitner: Hungarian biologist
- Erwin Leitner: Austrian chemist
- Václav Leitner: Czech philologist and educationalist