Surname Eckles - Meaning and Origin

Eckles: What does the surname Eckles mean?

The last name Eckles is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Old High German personal name "Agil", which means "edge (of a sword)". The name's initial "A" has been replaced with an "E", a common practice in the Middle Ages to indicate the bearer's place of residence. Therefore, the name Eckles could mean "one who lives by the edge (of a village or town)". It's also believed that in some contexts, it may be of topographic origin, referring to someone who dwelled near a notable ecclesiastical landmark or a church. The surname Eckles is common mostly among people of British or Irish descent. Like many surnames, interpretations of its meaning can vary and evolve over time and its exact original meaning might remain obscure.

Eckles: Where does the name Eckles come from?

The surname Eckles is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old English pre 7th century word "eccles", meaning church. It is a locational surname and often given to residents of places like Eccles in Lancashire, Norfolk, or other places named Eccles in the British Isles. The surname dates back to the late 12th century and has seen variations in spelling over the years, such as Eccles, Eckles, Ecles, Eacles, Ackles, and others.

Today, the surname Eckles can be located in several countries worldwide due to the widespread diaspora, but it remains most common in English-speaking countries, specifically England where it originated. In the United States, the name Eckles is primarily concentrated in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California, according to census records. It is important to note that even in these areas, it is not exceedingly common due to its unique origin.

Variations of the surname Eckles

The surname Eckles can have a few different variant spellings like Eccles, Ecles, Eckeles, Eckels, Eckless, Eckel and Eckle.

The surname is traced back to an ancient village called Eccles, meaning "church," located in Lancashire England. It may indicate that the early people with this name lived near or had a special connection with a church. Some surnames of the same origin also include Eccleston and Ecclestone, derived from the Old English pre 7th century "ecles", a church and "tun", a settlement or homestead - hence "The church settlement".

The variants and spellings of the surname can branch out to different yet interconnected surnames based on regions and dialects. For instance, it could have been adapted to Eichel in German-speaking regions, or Eglise (meaning church) in France.

Eckles could have been Americanized versions of the German name Eichel, Eckel or Ackel.

Keep in mind that spelling variations were common until spelling standardization with the advent of dictionaries. Therefore, one might find several versions of the same surname even within the same family records.

Famous people with the name Eckles

• Rabbi Eckles: Rabbi Joshie Eckles is a popular Rabbi, educator, and lecturer who serves as the spiritual leader of Congregation Shuvah Yisrael in the Brickell area of Miami, Florida.
• Reggie Eckles: Reggie Eckles is an American television and movie actor who is best known for his roles in films such as Drumline and The Express.
• Michael Eckles: Michael Eckles is a former NFL defensive back who played for two teams in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Ray Eckles: Ray Eckles is a former NBA player who played in the 1970s and 1980s for the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.
• Greg Eckles: Greg Eckles is an American actor who has starred in productions such as Home Improvement and The West Wing.
• Amy Eckles: Amy Eckles is an American country singer-songwriter who has released singles such as "The Favorite" and "Where Are You Now?"
• Stephen Eckles: Stephen Eckles is a former professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers in the 1960s and 1970s.
• M. L. Eckles: M. L. Eckles is an American author and blog writer who is best known for her books on design, remodeling, and decorating.
• Andrew Eckles: Andrew Eckles is a professional architect, designer, and artist. He is the founder of AE Design Studio, based in Portland, Oregon.
• Joanne Eckles: Joanne Eckles is an American novelist whose works have been featured in literary journals and periodicals, such as The Louisville Review and The New York Times Magazine.

Other surnames

Eckle