Surname Egnolf - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Egnolf: What does the surname Egnolf mean?
The last name Egnolf is thought to be of German origin. The "Eg" in Egnolf is derived from the Germanic word "egg" which translates to "edge," as in "edge of the forest." The "-nolf" of the name is associated with the Middle High German word "hholf," which translates to "wolf." Thus, Egnolf is a name whose meaning could be interpreted as "edge of the forest wolf."
The earliest known use of the Egnolf surname is believed to be in the Middle Ages when many young men emigrated from Germany to England, Scotland, and Ireland. They brought the surname Egnolf with them to be used as a family identifier.
Though the name has evolved over time, the meaning has remained the same: an edge of the forest wolf. This could be interpreted as one who is brave and strong, living near, and perhaps even ruling, the edge of the forest. This makes sense as the Egnolf surname would be passed down among a family of brave wolf-like people.
The Egnolf surname is unique and one of a kind. It stands for strength, courage, and abiding with the edge of the forest. It is a name that is steeped in history and stands for something meaningful.
Order DNA origin analysisEgnolf: Where does the name Egnolf come from?
The last name Egnolf is most commonly found in Germany and other countries in central Europe. The surname is especially prevalent in the German state of Brandenburg, where it is ranked as the 461st most frequent name. Beyond Germany, Egnolf can be found in small numbers in other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, and even Canada and the United States.
The origin of the surname appears to be Germanic and is probably derived from a personal name. The most likely personal name from which the surname is derived is Eginolf (also known as Eginald, Egnald, or Eginalf). The name is derived from the Old High German elements "egan," which means edge or rim, and "wolf," meaning wolf. Together they form a meaning like "edge of the wolf" or "wolf's edge," which could have been in reference to a sword, or a family's strength and courage.
Egnolf is also the name of a locality in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis of Germany, and many of the people with this last name likely originate from this region. The name has likely been in use for many centuries, but there are not many records tracing its origin beyond the 19th century.
Overall, the surname Egnolf is still fairly common and can be found in many places today, largely in central Europe, and in particular, the region of Brandenburg, in Germany.
Variations of the surname Egnolf
Egnolf is a surname of German origin. It is sometimes anglicized to Egolf and occasionally to Ingolf. Variations of the surname include Egnoulf, Engulf, Engolf, Engolt, Egnulff, and Igulf.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Egnolf dates to around 1150 in Old High German. It was derived from a personal name ‘Ignebald’ that was composed of the elements ‘igni’, meaning fire, and ‘bald’, meaning bold or brave.
Egnolf families can be found throughout Germany, The Netherlands, and in the British Isles. It is an uncommon surname, but is more prevalent in the state of Bavaria.
Variants of the surname include Egnolf, Egolf, Engulf, Engolf, Engolt, Egnulff, and Igulf. Other spellings of the surname include Ignoelf, Ignulf, Egnolff, Egnolfe, Egnouf, and Egnol, depending on region and language.
The surnames Ingolf, Ingulff, Enno, and Engl are also associated, although not necessarily related, to Egnolf. Ingolf is a Nordish variation of Egnolf, and Ingulff is an early Dutch spelling. Enno is an Old Norse variant of Egnolf, and Engl is an old English variation.
In conclusion, Egnolf is a surname of German origin which has several variants, spellings, and related surnames. It is an uncommon surname, but is found most often in the state of Bavaria.
Famous people with the name Egnolf
- Jimmy Egnolf: Swedish entrepreneur
- Sam Egnolf: Australian fashion designer
- Valerie Egnolf: British theatre producer
- John Egnolf: American actor
- Matthew Egnolf: Canadian composer
- Edward Egnolf: Danish ballet dancer
- Dean Egnolf: French illustrator
- Alexis Egnolf: Italian sports journalist
- Marie Egnolf: Spanish chef
- Jean Philippe Egnolf: German musician