Surname Leien - Meaning and Origin
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Leien: What does the surname Leien mean?
The surname Leien is of Dutch origin and is one of the many Dutch or Dutch-influenced surnames common throughout the Netherlands. Its literal translation is "lion," though it has been used as a moniker for notable leaders and rulers since Classical Greek and Latin times.
In Dutch, the name Leien is derived from the word leu, which means 'brave' or 'brave lion', referring to the strength and boldness of a lion. The name was often given to the eldest sons of noble families, and its use spread through the Low Countries.
In its original form, the surname is composed of two distinct components. The "lei" part is derived from medieval Dutch, which roughly translates as "to rule over." The second part, "en," is a German suffix denoting the possession of a quality—in this case, lionship.
Although there are no known records of the actual originators of the surname, its associations with the king of beasts—both in terms of strength and nobility—make it an instantly recognizable and interesting last name. As a result, it can still be found in many Dutch families today.
Order DNA origin analysisLeien: Where does the name Leien come from?
The last name Leien is a relatively uncommon name today. It originated in the Netherlands, and is quite rare elsewhere, though it has historically been used in Germany and Belgium as well.
Leien is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "leeuw" which means lion. It likely became a family name when a person was known for having lion-like characteristics, or simply adopted it for themselves.
Despite its Dutch origins, there are relatively few people today who bear the Leien name. Most will be found in the Netherlands, especially in its northern regions, and in Germany, Belgium, Australia, and the United States. The name is rare in the U.S., though there are some with the last name living in the Midwest and the Northeast.
Given its rarity, there are possibly fewer than a few thousand people alive today with this last name. It is, however, becoming more common with immigration from the Netherlands to other countries.
Due to how rare the Leien name is, there are very few resources available on its history or origin. It is likely that the information available is scant at best. Anyone tracing their family history with this last name may have difficulty engaging in deep genealogical research.
Variations of the surname Leien
The surname Leien is of Germanic origin, and variations can be found in various countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands and more. Commonly used spellings and surnames that come from the same root include the following:
Layen: This spelling is commonly found in the United States and Canada, and can be found in records such as the U.S. Census from 1900-1930.
Leyen: This spelling originated in Germany and can be found in German records such as birth, marriage and death registries.
Lein: This spelling is common in Germany, and is likely a short form of Leien.
Layne: This spelling is often found in the United States, and is likely an Americanized version of Layen.
Leeworthy: This is an English-derived surname, also likely an adaptation of the original German name.
Lien: This spelling may be found in various records, such as civil records in The Netherlands, and is likely an adaptation of Leien.
Ley: This spelling is also commonly found in Germany and is likely a shorter form of Leien or Leyen.
Lei: This spelling is likely derived from the original German name, and may be found in immigration records from various countries.
Leyer: This is an occupational surname, likely derived from the German verb leiern, meaning “to ply a trade” and may be an adaptation of Leien.
Leynen: This spelling is common in the Netherlands, and is likely an adaptation of the original German surname.
Leen: This spelling may be found in civil records in The Netherlands, and is likely an adaptation of the original German name.
Leay: This spelling is likely an adaptation of Layen or Leyen, and may be found in records in the United States.
In conclusion, there are numerous variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin as Leien. Some of the common ones that may be found in records in various countries are Layen, Leyen, Lein, Layne, Leeworthy, Lien, Ley, Lei, Leyer, Leynen, Leen and Leay.
Famous people with the name Leien
- Christian Leienberger: German footballer
- Felicia Leien: American artist
- Frederik Leien: Norwegian footballer
- Gunnar Leien: Norwegian skier
- Ingrid Leien: Norwegian alpine skier
- Kevin Leien: American message board user
- Michael Leien: German singer/songwriter
- Peter Leien: Swedish politician
- Rune Leien: Norwegian ski jumper
- Steve Leiener: American wrestler