Surname Leichtfuss - Meaning and Origin
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Leichtfuss: What does the surname Leichtfuss mean?
The German surname Leichtfuss roughly translates to "light foot," and has been documented in Germany for centuries. It is believed that this family name is derived from the German word leicht, meaning "light," combined with fus, meaning "foot."
It is thought that this surname was originally created to describe someone that was particularly light on their feet—someone who was particularly graceful or adept at dancing or light sports. The German surname has been spelt in various ways, including: Leichtfuss, Leichtfuhs, Leichfeet, and more.
Other surnames with a similar meaning include Schnellefuss, meaning "fleet foot," and Bussfuss, meaning "thick foot" or "strong foot."
In Germany, it is not uncommon to find families that have held the same surnames for generations. This means that the Leichtfuss family likely originated from a single family many centuries ago, around the mid-1400s.
Today, the Leichtfuss name is still alive and well in Germany and in other parts of the world. People who bear the name in 2020 likely carry the same qualities which the name sought to describe many centuries ago—a light-footed, graceful individual.
Order DNA origin analysisLeichtfuss: Where does the name Leichtfuss come from?
The last name Leichtfuss is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is estimated that there are currently about 4,000 people with this name living in these countries.
In Germany, Leichtfuss is most common in the eastern states such as Brandenburg, Thuringia, and Saxony. Here it is found in all sorts of settings, ranging from small villages to large cities. In Austria, it is widely distributed throughout the country and in Switzerland it is mainly concentrated in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, and Glarus.
Leichtfuss means "light feet" in German and is thought to be of occupational origin, probably denoting a messenger or runner. This surname probably originated centuries ago as people began to work in specialized occupations and adopted occupational names to identify themselves.
Throughout history, Leichtfuss has been spelt in various ways including Lichvuss, Leizevuss, Leichtfuß, and Leichtfuss, all of which share the same root.
In modern times, Leichtfuss is still very common among Germany-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, suggesting the name has been maintained and passed through multiple generations.
Variations of the surname Leichtfuss
Leichtfuss is a German surname meaning "light feet". It is quite uncommon but variations and/or other spellings of the name do exist.
Variations of the Leichtfuss surname include:
Lichtfuß: This is the most common spelling variant of Leichtfuss and is also used in place of it.
Leichtfuß: This spelling is also very common and occasionally used instead of Leichtfuss.
Leichtfuhs: This is the most uncommon spelling variant of Leichtfuss but is still used occasionally in place of the original spelling.
Other surnames of the same origin as Leichtfuss include:
Lichtfuss: This is the Americanized spelling of Leichtfuss, and is most commonly found in the United States.
Lightfoot: This is an anglicized version of Leichtfuss and is often seen in the United Kingdom.
Leichtvogel: This is a rather rare surname, but is closely related to Leichtfuss, and used in place of it occasionally.
Leightfoot: This is another Americanized version of Leichtfuss and is seen in the United States.
Lichbmuth: This is an uncommon spelling variant of Leichtfuss, but is still used in its place in some cases.
Overall, the Leichtfuss surname is uncommon, but there are several spelling variants and other surnames of the same origin which are used in its place occasionally.
Famous people with the name Leichtfuss
- Jonathan Leichtfuss, a German-born artist and sculptor, best known for his bronze sculptures
- William Leichtfuss, an American film editor
- Constanze Leichtfuss, a German pianist and vocalist
- Herbert Leichtfuss, a German footballer who played for FC Schalke 04
- Katharina Leichtfuss, a German television presenter and actor
- Sophia Leichtfuss, an Austrian model and the winner of the MTV Model of the Year award in 2015
- Dieter Leichtfuss, a German filmmaker and television director
- Sven Leichtfuss, a contemporary German actor
- Timo Leichtfuss, a German jazz pianist
- Vera Leichtfuss, an automotive engineer and entrepreneur