This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Schleif family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Schleif Family History

Schleif Surname Meaning

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): occupational name for a (knife) grinder from Middle High German slīfen German schleifen ‘to grind’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Schleif family from?

You can see how Schleif families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Schleif family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Schleif families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 39 Schleif families living in Wisconsin. This was about 29% of all the recorded Schleif's in USA. Wisconsin had the highest population of Schleif families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Schleif surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Schleif ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Operator were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Schleif. 29% of Schleif men worked as a Farmer and 15% of Schleif women worked as an Operator. Some less common occupations for Americans named Schleif were Machinist and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Schleif | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    29%
  • Laborer
    27%
  • Farm Laborer
    10%
  • Machinist
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Operator
    15%
  • Housewife
    12%
  • Stenographer
    12%
  • Housekeeper
    12%

What Schleif family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Schleif. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Schleif census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Schleif

Passenger Lists

There are 627 immigration records available for the last name Schleif. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Schleif immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Schleif. For the veterans among your Schleif ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Schleif military records

You've only scratched the surface of Schleif family history

Discover More

What is the average Schleif lifespan?

Between 1959 and 2004, in the United States, Schleif life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Schleif in 1959 was 53, and 66 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Schleif

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Schleif ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Schleif family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial