Had a facebook conversation the other day(see below). Cecilia reminded me of something I read awhile back, but never did anything with it. Is Slechta a version of Szlachta? Or maybe the other way around. I have found records of both names back to about the same time. Could they be related? There is a good chance since they both mean nobility in there respective languages. Szlachta is Polish and Šlechta is Czech/Bohemian.
If you take look at the area over there it is not very large( see map below). Since the Czech Republic is roughly the size of Iowa, movement of people over a number of years makes it possible for the names to have the same origin. What is that origin? Is it Czech? Is it Polish? Could it be German? Both Slechta and Szlachta have hints that they were derived from German words.
"Szlachta" derives from the Old German word "slahta" (now "(Adels) Geschlecht", "(noble) family")
Slechta see previous post http://slechtahistory.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html
Someday I hope to find out. If there is anyone out there that knows more or has a resource to help prove or disprove, I would love to hear from you.
If you take look at the area over there it is not very large( see map below). Since the Czech Republic is roughly the size of Iowa, movement of people over a number of years makes it possible for the names to have the same origin. What is that origin? Is it Czech? Is it Polish? Could it be German? Both Slechta and Szlachta have hints that they were derived from German words.
"Szlachta" derives from the Old German word "slahta" (now "(Adels) Geschlecht", "(noble) family")
Slechta see previous post http://slechtahistory.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html
Someday I hope to find out. If there is anyone out there that knows more or has a resource to help prove or disprove, I would love to hear from you.
- Hi Paul,
I read your blog about the origin of the name "Slechta". I was born Cecilia Marie Slechta , father is Henry, grandfather is Bohumil.
The origin of the name comes from the name Szlachta from Poland. They were the nobility of Poland. In the 1700s, the Polish economy began to deteriorate. Some Szlachtas emigrated to what is now Czechloslavia and Austria.
Sorry, couldn't figure out how to use your blog page so I came to Facebook.
Cheers, Cecilia
- Thanks Cecilia! Yes I have looked in to the name Szlachta. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szlachta I believe the name originated from a German area called Schlechtbach. A research center I contacted years ago mentioned this to me. However the area over there is so close together it is hard to say without concrete proof. Hopefully someday I will get that proof.
en.wikipedia.orgThe szlachta (Polish: szlachta, [ˈʂlaxta] ( listen), Belarusian: шляхта, šlachta, Lithuanian: šlėkta, šlėktos or bajorai ) was a legally privileged noble class with origins in the Kingdom of Poland. It gained considerable institutional privileges during the 1333–1370 reign of Casimir the Great.[1] I...
- Do you mind if I repost this on my blog?
- On another note. Are you a Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinios or Texas Slechta?
- Looking at my information I would say Nebraska.
- You can post it on your blog. I live in Nebraska. Go Big Red!
- Oh, also, my greatgrandfather owned a farm outside of Prague. It was rare for people other than the aristocracy to own property. I don't know how long it was in the family, however. My ex-husband was the one who stumbled on the Polish connection. He loves reading big, thick, dry history books.
- What town was the farm near? Was Prague the closest? I like to plot out locations were any Slechta lives or once lived. It let me see where most Slechta's were located.
4 comments:
I am fairly certain I am related to Cecilia. Our fathers are cousins. My grandfather was Louis Slechta. Bohumil Slechta and Nebraska? Just saying, what are the chances? My maiden name is Stacie Slechta. Louis moved to Chicago and married Helen. There he had 3 sons; Kenneth and twins, Eugene and Donald. I am Don's oldest. I have had a terrible time with my father's side of the family. If you have anything that could help me I would really appreciate it.
I am fairly certain I am related to Cecilia. Our fathers are cousins. My grandfather was Louis Slechta. Bohumil Slechta and Nebraska? Just saying, what are the chances? My maiden name is Stacie Slechta. Louis moved to Chicago and married Helen. There he had 3 sons; Kenneth and twins, Eugene and Donald. I am Don's oldest. I have had a terrible time with my father's side of the family. If you have anything that could help me I would really appreciate it.
Hi Paul, i agree that the name probably came from Germany. I found a wikipedia article on Scattau Moravia, where my great grandmother Maria Schlechta was from. That town was settled by Bavarians in the 1200's and 1300's. Of course I'm not sure if her family goes back that far there. The handwriting is so terrible on the church records, i can only read back to the 1700's!
BethBabits
Hi Paul, i agree that the name probably came from Germany. I found a wikipedia article on Scattau Moravia, where my great grandmother Maria Schlechta was from. That town was settled by Bavarians in the 1200's and 1300's. Of course I'm not sure if her family goes back that far there. The handwriting is so terrible on the church records, i can only read back to the 1700's!
BethBabits
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