Leicht History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The roots of the distinguished and ancient German surname are unclear; there are many possible origins for this name, all corresponding to different regions. Firstly, the name may be derived from the Middle High German "licht," meaning "light, lamp"; in this instance, the name would have been originally borne by a maker of lanterns or candlesticks. Alternatively, the name may be related to the Middle High German "liht," meaning "light-hearted, careless, unsteady." In this case, the name would have originated as a nickname, bestowed on someone with a light-hearted disposition. Finally, the surname may be derived from "Lichte," the name of a town in Thuringia, which is itself derived from the Middle High German "lichta," meaning "clearing."

Early Origins of the Leicht family

The surname Leicht was first found in various regions of Germany and the surrounding areas of Switzerland, Austria, France, and Belgium. The many possible origins of the name Leicht make it likely that several branches of the family emerged independently in different areas. The written history of the name Leicht dates back to 1275, when Egelolfus and Berhta dicti zem Liehte of Solothurn, Switzerland were recorded in the "Mittlehochdeutsches Namenbuch." The many branches of the young Leicht family were instrumental during this early period, each contributing greatly to the development of the medieval society of its particular region.

Early History of the Leicht family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leicht research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1295, 1617, 1705, 1748, 1762 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Leicht History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leicht Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Licht, Lichte, Likht, Liehte, Leicht and others.

Early Notables of the Leicht family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leicht Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leicht migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leicht Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anna Eliz Leicht, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1710 1
Anna Margatta Leicht, aged 58, who arrived in New York in 1710 1
George Ludwig Leicht, aged 66, who landed in New York in 1710 1
Henrich Leicht, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 1
Johan Henrich Leicht, aged 24, who arrived in New York in 1710 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Leicht Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Magdalen Leicht, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 1
Ludowig Leicht, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 1
Gottlieb Leicht, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 1
Christopher Leicht, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 1
Dorothea Leicht, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Leicht Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Johannes Leicht, aged 8, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 1
Elisabeth Leicht, aged 17, who arrived in America in 1901 1
Daniel Leicht, aged 15, who arrived in America in 1901 1
Catherina Leicht, aged 21, who landed in America in 1901 1
Catherine Leicht, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1901 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Leicht (post 1700) +

Joseph Leicht, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Minnesota State Treasurer, 1892
Mrs. G. J. Leicht, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1924

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)