Surname Eckehardt - Meaning and Origin

Eckehardt: What does the surname Eckehardt mean?

The last name Eckehardt is a German surname which derives from the masculine personal name Eckhard, which is a combination of the German words Eck meaning "corner” or “edge” and hard meaning “brave” or “hardy”. Therefore, the name Eckehardt roughly translates to “brave or hardy at the corners”.

The exact origin of the Eckehardt surname is said to date back to medieval Germany. The first recorded instance of the name dates back to 1475 in Bavaria. It is likely that the name originally belonged to one specific family, and over time was adopted by others, giving it regional diversity.

The Eckehardts are an influential family in German history. During the 11th century, Eckehard of Esternach served as a Medieval theologian and Roman Catholic priest. Additionally, during World War II, General Helmut Eckehardt served as an officer in the German army. It is also said that Eckehardts have been influential in the sitting Lords of German towns and cities.

Today, the Eckehardt name is common throughout Germany and is especially popular in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. There are also a small number of Eckehardt descendants living in the United States and other parts of the world.

Eckehardt: Where does the name Eckehardt come from?

The last name Eckehardt is most commonly found in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. According to Ancestry.com, the name is the 899th most common surname in the country with over 59,000 people bearing it. It is still concentrated in certain areas of Germany and its distribution is uneven; it is most prevalent in Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.

The surname can also be found outside of Germany in countries such as the United States, France, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, and Argentina. Its presence in these countries is due to emigration from Germany in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. According to the US Census Bureau, the surname is currently the 6,901st most common surname in America and the 2,630th most common surname in Canada.

Although the name has spread across the world, its roots can be traced back to Germany, where it is still used today. Despite its decrease in popularity over the past two centuries, the name is still a common address of German citizens and a reminder of their long history.

Variations of the surname Eckehardt

The surname "Eckehardt" is an ancient German name derived from the given name Eckehard. This name is usually spelled in the same way in variations, however, there are a number of other spellings often seen. Variants of this surname include Eckhardt, Eckardt, Eckhart, Eckart, Eckehart, and even the more modern Eckert and Eckard.

The Eckehardt surname is an extremely rare one, although it is found in a number of countries. It is primarily found in Germany, where it originated, although it can also be found in Austria, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, some of the more common surnames include Eck, Ecker, and Eckert. These variants do not necessarily have the same origin as "Eckehardt," however, and can come from a completely different language.

Although the surname is rarely seen in the United States, there is still a presence of the surname in North and South America, Africa, and even Australia. Given its rarity, it is possible to trace its origins back to Europe fairly accurately in some cases.

In the end, the surname "Eckehardt" is a rare and ancient surname which is usually spelled in the same way, however can have a number of other variants and spellings. It is found in different countries across the world and is interesting to trace and research.

Famous people with the name Eckehardt

• Ulrich Eckehardt: German footballer and coach.
• Reto Eckehardt: Swiss alpine skier
• Dirk Eckehardt: former German basketball player
• Pavel Eckehardt: former Czech footballer
• Marcus Eckehardt: German automotive engineer
• Armin Eckehardt: German marketer, entrepreneur and investor
• Julian Eckehardt: German radio presenter
• Peggy Eckehardt: German sculptor
• Balthasar Eckehardt: German geographer
• Felix Eckehardt: German track and field athlete
• Nuna Eckehardt: German entrepreneur

Other surnames

Eckehard