Surname Gleichman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gleichman: What does the surname Gleichman mean?
The last name Gleichman is a German surname derived from the word ‘Gleich’, which means ‘equal’. It is possible that the name was originally borne by someone with a strong sense of fairness and justice. The name might also be an occupational name, as it is derived from the craft of making scales used for weighing goods.
The early history of the name is somewhat difficult to trace, however it is known that the earliest record of this last name comes from a fifteenth century document in Germany. This document mentions a Hans Gleichmann and his three sons, all of whom were living as farmers in the German town of Betzboden.
Subsequently, the name spread to other parts of the world, particularly to the United States, where a large number of Gleichmanns settled in the 19th century. Here, some of them became butchers, grocers and smiths, while others pursued other professions.
Today, the last name Gleichman is still common in both Germany and the United States. It is also a common surname across Europe, particularly Poland and Hungary. In short, the last name Gleichman should be seen as a reflection of justice, fairness, equality and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisGleichman: Where does the name Gleichman come from?
The last name Gleichman is primarily found today in Israel, the United States, and Canada. Specifically in Israel, it is estimated that roughly 800-900 families across the country bear the Gleichman surname.
In terms of immigration and genealogy, availability of records indicates that the last name Gleichman originated in Eastern Europe. Originally, it is believed the surname was familial and passed down through generations in the Jewish community.
Due to the region’s tumultuous history during the early twentieth century, many families with the last name Gleichman chose to depart and relocate in other countries, with records indicating many were Israeli-bound. As the modern State of Israel was established in the late 1940s, many of these families resettled there, accounting for most of the population bearing the name Gleichman today.
In the United States, the last name Gleichman is more sparse. According to recent census data, there are around 200-300 individuals with the last name living in the country. On the other hand, roughly 150-200 of the last name have immigrated to Canada in recent decades, predominantly to Toronto and Montreal.
Although originally more prevalent in Eastern Europe, today the last name Gleichman is mostly found in Israel, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Gleichman
The surname Gleichman is of German origin, derived from the word ‘Gleich’, which means ‘equal’, ‘same’, or ‘alike’. Variants of the name include Glaichman, Glaich, Glaichmacher, Gleichmann, Gliachmann, Gliachman, Gliachmacher, Glichman, Glichmann, Glichmacher, and Glieman.
Spellings for this surname include Gleichman, Glaichman, Glaich, Glaichmacher, Gleichmann, Gliachmann, Gliachman, Gliachmacher, Glichman, Glichmann, Glichmacher, and Glieman.
In some cases, a particular variant of the surname may have been adopted by some families. For example, Gliachman and Gliachmacher may have been taken on by German Jewish families centuries ago.
Variations and spellings of the same origin such as Goliach or Golach and Golickman can also be found. This indicates that the surname may have originated from a different linguistic region, perhaps Eastern Europe, where the letter “G” often precedes “L”.
Some families have also adopted different surnames to disguise their Jewish heritage. This includes variants of the name such as lieman and liemann.
The surname Gleichman and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are still found throughout the world, especially in communities with German or Jewish roots.
Famous people with the name Gleichman
- Rich Gleichman, singer and producer
- Alan Gleichman, physicist and inventor
- Heather Froeschl Gleichman, activist
- Mira Nair, filmmaker
- David Gleichman, musician
- Fred Gleichman, film producer
- Abby Gleichman, artist
- Martin Gleichman, musicologist
- Anais Gleichman, actress
- Tim Gleichman, film producer