Context: Poles of the 17th century assumed that "szlachta" came from the German "schlachten" ("to slaughter" or "to butcher"); also suggestive is the German "Schlacht" ("battle"). Early Polish historians thought the term may have derived from the name of the legendary proto-Polish chief, Lech, mentioned in Polish and Czech writings.

Question: What did the poles of the 17th century think the term szlachta came from?
Answer: German "schlachten"

Question: What does schlachtan mean in german?
Answer: ("to slaughter" or "to butcher")

Question: What German word is also suggestive deriving from  szlachta?
Answer: Schlacht

Question: What does schlacht mean?
Answer: battle

Question: The polish believed szlachta derived from the name of who?
Answer: legendary proto-Polish chief, Lech