Surname Eckehard - Meaning and Origin

Eckehard: What does the surname Eckehard mean?

The last name Eckehard is of German origin. It is composed of two elements: Ecke, meaning “corner” and Hard, meaning “brave” or “strong”.

The Ecke part of the surname originates from the Middle High German word Ecke, referring to an angular area or corner. The element Hard is a Germanic word meaning “brave” or “strong”. Its Old High German root is Hart, related to the modern English word “hard”.

The unexpected combination of Ecke and Hard suggests that the original bearer of the name was someone brave, strong and well-defended in his corner; a fighter. The first recorded use of the name Eckehard is by the Archbishop of Mainz in the 12th century.

Eckehard continues to be a common name in Germany today. It can be seen as a surname, a first name, or even a masculine business name. In the English-speaking world, the name Eckehard has been anglicised and can be found in surnames such as Eckhard, Ekhart, Eckard and Eckehardt.

Altogether, the name Eckehard is a strong Germanic name meaning brave or strong, perfect for anyone who wants to show off their strength and courage.

Eckehard: Where does the name Eckehard come from?

The surname Eckehard is found most commonly in Germany today, but can be found all over the world. It is especially concentrated in parts of Northern Germany, including the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Pomerania, and Thuringia. The name can also be found in other parts of Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Berlin. Outside of Germany, the name is most common in Austria, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The history of the surname Eckehard dates back to the 9th century. It is likely derived from the ancient Germanic name "Eckhar" or "Eckefrei", meaning "one who is brave and strong". It was likely an occupational surname, given to a strong and independent craftsman or artisan. The earliest known recorded use of the name is from 768, when one Eckhardus signed the Foundation Parish of Fulda. It is possible that the family was part of the dominion of Fulda's ruling family, the Erni von Wetterau.

In the Middle Ages, the family spread throughout Germany and other parts of Europe, eventually seeding other countries such as the United States and Canada. Today, the name Eckehard is still common; people who carry this surname can trace their heritage back to the 9th century and will likely be proud of their German heritage.

Variations of the surname Eckehard

The surname Eckehard is a German name, which originated from the ancient Germanic name Eckehard. It typically derived from a compound of two elements, “ecke” and “hard”, which meant “edge” or “corner” and “hard” or “strong”, respectively. Through centuries of changes in spelling and pronunciation, many variants have arisen from this original surname.

Variants of the surname Eckehard include Ackhard, Achard and Eckhardt. Such variations can be found in various European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands; whilst the form Adkerd is widely used in Dutch-speaking countries.

Spellings of Eckehard, also known as the patronymic form, include Ackerd, Akerd, Akerde, Ackerde, Achard, Eckard, Ackard, Eckehardt, Eckhardt, Eckert, Eggehard and Eggers. These spellings may seem quite different from the original version of the name, but each was derived from the same source.

Other spelling variations found in related families are Egger, Ackers, Aue, Nuen, Ecker, Ackerman, Egge, Ackermann, Eggner and Auker.

Surnames derived from the same origin as Eckehard include Ecker, Egger, Eckert, Ekert, Egge, Eekerdt, Aiker, Aikerman, Auker, Ackerd, Ackerde, Akerd, Akerde, and Ackard.

All of these variations of the surname Eckehard, in both their spellings and related surnames, can trace their roots back to the ancient German “Eckehard”. Undoubtedly, the number of variations is astonishing, yet the origin remains the same.

Famous people with the name Eckehard

• Paul Ecke Sr.: The German-American horticulturist and businessman is widely recognized as the father of the poinsettia industry for introducing the poinsettia as a commercial crop and popularizing it as a Christmas flower.
• Manfred Ecke: An Official Professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Manfred Ecke is known for his creative landscape paintings, as well as still-lifes.
• Dieter Ecke: A German economist and lawyer, Dieter Ecke is also a noted European Union theorist and a former German government minister.
• Klaus Ecke: A German-born bobsledder, Klaus Ecke was a member of the East German national team that won gold and silver medals at the World Championships in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
• Gerhard Ecke: A lawyer and former President of the German Football Association, Gerhard Ecke is a longtime member of FIFA and the UEFA Executive Committee.
• Wolfgang Ecke: The President of the German Sports Aid Foundation, Wolfgang Ecke is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is credited with creating the first kinesiological studies for elite athletes.
• Armin Ecke: German physicist and physicist of computers, Armin Ecke is also a professor of experimental physics at Heidelberg University and CEO of the Heidelberg Institute for Advanced Studies.
• Karl Ecke: The German social democratic journalist and politician, Karl Ecke was a sustained critical voice of the Weimar Republic.
• Erich Ecke: A German screenwriter and director, Erich Ecke is primarily known for making a number of short films in the 1920s, as well as the feature films The Tuneful Heart and The Lullaby of Kaspar Linnich.

Other surnames

Eckehardt