Surname Eckkard - Meaning and Origin

Eckkard: What does the surname Eckkard mean?

The last name Eckkard is of German origin, derived from the old Germanic given name "Ekkhard" which was later Anglicized to "Eckhard". This name is composed of two elements; the first being “ec” which means “edge” or “district” and the second being “hard” meaning “brave” and “strong”. The combination of these two elements created the meaning “stronger in the district” or “edge-dweller”.

The surname Eckkard is most likely a topographic last name, indicating a person who lived near the edge of a district or forest. It was most likely given to someone living near a border, and was used to identify a person with strength and courage to stand guarding the border. It has been suggested by some scholars that the surname could also come from a nickname given to someone who owned a piece of property that adjoins another piece of property, meaning the name could imply that someone has a guardianship over the boundaries of a particular piece of land.

The name Eckkard is a very ancient surname, found mainly in rural areas in Germany and Switzerland. Records of the name date back as far as in the medieval times, when Ekkard of Schlettstadt was mentioned as a burgomaster in the 13th century. Since its inception, the surname Eckkard has been found in many locations and different forms throughout the world. Most prominently, it is found in the United States, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In modern times, the surname Eckkard carries with it a strong sense of guardianship and protection over boundaries. It is seen by some as a sign of courage and strength, and is an enduring surname that has been passed down through many generations.

Eckkard: Where does the name Eckkard come from?

The last name Eckard is most commonly found in the United States of America. In the United States, the last name Eckard ranked 14,841st in 2017 and has risen steadily since then. The exact origin of the last name is unknown, although it is likely to be of Germanic origin. The last name is particularly clustered in the Midwest region of the United States, with the highest concentration being found in Indiana.

The vast majority of those with the last name Eckard in the United States are likely to be descended from German immigrants who arrived in the country from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. During this period, many German immigrants arrived in the United States as part of a push to settle the Midwest region for farming. This explains why the last name is particularly compared with this region.

Although the last name Eckard is predominantly found in the United States, settlers from the same era also settled in Australia and New Zealand. There are significantly fewer people in these countries with the last name Eckard, however, they often have relatives in the United States.

Nowadays, many people with the last name Eckard still live throughout the Midwest region of the United States, particularly in Indiana. However, due to the high rate of intermarriage, the last name can be found across the United States to some degree.

Variations of the surname Eckkard

The surname Eckkard is most likely of Germanic origin, likely derived from the given name “Eko” or “Eckhard”, meaning "firm in heart" or "strong in spirit". Common variants and spellings include Ekard, Ekkard, Eckert, Eckardt, Eckhardt, Eckerdt, Ekhard, Eckhardt, and Eckart.

A few common surnames of similar origin include Ekker, Ecker, Eckerle, Eckel, Heckert, Heckerman, and Ecklein. It can also be found in its different regional variations such as Eckerman, Eckermann, Eckermannn, Eckherdt, Echery, and Echert. The surname can also take various forms in different countries, such as Kagelmas, Ecklin, and Atheckar, mainly found in countries where German names can be found.

The popularity of the surnames can be seen in records in different countries, such as in the United States where recurrent records of Eckard are found dating back to the late 1800s, mainly concentrated in the state of Pennsylvania.

In summary, the surname Eckkard is of Germanic origin and has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. Its existence can be found in different countries, mainly in the United States and Germany.

Famous people with the name Eckkard

• Alexandra Eckardt: German politician and member of the Free Democratic Party
• Eva Eckardt: former East German slalom canoeist
• Shannon Eckardt: American soccer player who currently plays as a defender for Racing Louisville FC
• Kenneth Eckardt: American entomologist and evolutionary biologist
• David Eckardt: developer of the open-source computer game FreeCiv
• Benjamin Eckardt: retired German footballer
• Margot Eckardt: German volleyball player
• Ned Eckardt: American basketball player
• Josephine Ekumah: Ghanaian businesswoman and philanthropist
• Bettina Eckardt: German DJ and producer

Other surnames

Eckkardt