Surname Eckholt - Meaning and Origin
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Eckholt: What does the surname Eckholt mean?
The last name Eckholt is of German origin and has roots in the medieval province of Saxony. The name is derived from Eckholdt, a variation of Eckhold, which was the German word for 'corner’, indicating the holder of the Eckhold as the one who held control of a given corner or piece of land.
Throughout its history, the surname Eckholt has been associated with prominent figures in German society. Many prominent individuals within the German nobility carried the Eckholt surname in recognition of their ownership and control of a particular estate or piece of land.
In modern times, the surname Eckholt can also be seen as a marker of wealthy or influential families, visibly bearing the original meaning of the Eckhold designation. The Eckholt crest, which is often seen accompanying the name, features a shield adorned with the colors of black, white and blue, as well as a single golden eagle.
The Eckholt name is of immense historical significance in Saxony, and continues to evoke a sense of importance and power in those who bear the crest. It is a mark of tradition and strength, honed from a long history of ownership and influence, and a commitment to protecting and nurturing a legacy many generations old.
Order DNA origin analysisEckholt: Where does the name Eckholt come from?
The Eckholt surname is most commonly seen in Germany today. This surname is thought to be derived from the word for oak tree in German, "Eiche", combined with the German word for wood or forest, "Holz". Thus the surname is believed to have originally referred to someone who lived by an oak forest.
Eckholt is not an especially common name, but it is mostly found in southwestern parts of Germany, particularly the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. These two German states are located close to Germany’s borders with France, Switzerland, and Austria; it is likely that people bearing this surname may have moved from one of those countries intoGermany at some point in history.
The Eckholts may also have originated from a village or town in the former German territory of East Prussia, which is now part of Poland and Lithuania. This region of Germany was home to many Germans, and some of them may have gone on to emigrate to other countries. It is possible that a few of these families had the Eckholt surname.
Despite not being a very widespread surname, people bearing the Eckholt name may be found in Germany, other parts of Europe, and even across the globe. Although the original meaning of the name is unknown, it is likely that people bearing this name share a common ancestry.
Variations of the surname Eckholt
The surname Eckholt has several variant spellings and forms of the same origin. Some spelling variations of the surname Eckholt include: Eckelhoud, Eckelhoudt, Eckelholt, Aeckholt, Eeckelhoud, Eeckelhoudt, Eeckelholt, Eeckelhout and Eckhout. These variants usually derived from the same ancestral source.
The earliest historical records of the family name Eckholt date back to the 1500s, when a Johannes Eckelhoud was found in the records of the Rhineland. This was followed by Christian Eeckelhoud, who was living in Holland in 1661.
The family name ‘Eckholt’ has also been spread around different countries, often developing into different spelling variations. In Germany, variations of the name may include – Eckhalt, Eickelak, Eickhol, Eickelhof and Eickelhen. The spelling variations of ‘Eckholt’ can also be found in Poland, where it is spelled as – Echolt, Echolc, Echolk, Echoln and Eckhold.
The Dutch spelling of the surname is often transcribed as ‘Aeckholt’ or ‘Eeckelhout’. The popularity of the surname Eckholt is apparent not only in Germany and Holland, but also in countries such as Denmark, where it is spelled as – ‘Eickenhout’ or ‘Eicholz’.
The South African spelling of Eckholt is ‘Eckhout’. It is also found in Russia with the transliterated spellings of – ‘Eicholt’ or ‘Eickholt’. In addition, some other forms of the names can be seen being used such as – ‘Ackholt, Ackhouse, Ackhoudt and Ackelhoud.
Overall, the surname Eckholt has an immense diversity in spelling variants and surname derivations, providing an insight into its rich and varied family history.
Famous people with the name Eckholt
- Rob Eckhart: former NFL running back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals between 1986 and 1991.
- Rick Eckholt: actor, writer and director who is best known for his roles in the movies Shoot First and Die Later and Snapshots.
- John Eckholt: artist and sculptor who is known for his bronze works such as The Prometheus.
- D. Eric Eckholt: professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University.
- Garrett Eckholt: former professional baseball player who played for the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners.
- Don Eckholt: professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62.
- Jon Eckhardt: professional soccer player who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship.
- Don Eckholt Sr.: former hockey player who played for several teams during his career including the New York Islanders.
- William Eckholt: composer and music producer who has worked on a wide range of projects from feature films to video games.
- Steven Eckholt: former professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour from 1992 to 1994.