Surname Ehlert - Meaning and Origin

An Unearthed Legacy: The Ehlert Saga through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Through iGENEA's DNA analysis, I journeyed into the vast chronicle of my surname, Ehlert, uncovering its German roots and ancient professions. Discovering the migrations of my forefathers and the unexpected connections with distant relatives, I fostered a profound sense of identity and belonging.

F. Ehlert

Ehlert: What does the surname Ehlert mean?

The last name Ehlert is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word "eihlaro," meaning "noble heir." The name may also be derived from the Middle High German word "helerin," meaning "a protector of sovereignty." In German, the name Ehlert is derived from the same root word and can be spelled a variety of ways which include Ehler, Ehlers, Ehlert and Ehl.

The meaning of the name Ehlert is that it is an occupational name for someone who was, or claimed to be, of noble descent or a member of the landed nobility of the Middle Ages. This type of surnames were used by people who were in possession of large estates, castles, princes, and knights during the Middle Ages.

In addition, the name likely had to do with a granted estate, or with someone who had previously or currently held royal office. It is possible that many bearers of the name were hereditary members of the governing class, although by the modern period, the nobility's power had diminished.

Today, the name Ehlert is most common in Germany and appears to be of primarily German origins. It continues to be a popular name choice today, with the name bearers typically representing highly successful people in a variety of industries, from business to the arts.

Ehlert: Where does the name Ehlert come from?

The last name Ehlert is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. It is also commonly found in the Nordic countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden. According to the U.S. Census, there are 16,386 persons with the last name Ehlert living in the United States.

The origin of the Ehlert surname is German, stemming from the Middle High German word ehre, which means honor and respect. It is derived from a nickname, usually given to a person who was either highly esteemed by their community or who held a position of high honor. It may also have been given to someone who was born of noble descent.

The frequency of Ehlert in certain areas today can be attributed to migration patterns in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many immigrants of German-speaking countries, and some of Nordic countries, moved to the Midwest United States during this time, establishing a lasting presence of the Ehlert surname in these areas.

In contemporary times, individuals with the last name Ehlert can be found in countries around the world, from the United States and Canada to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Those with the surname can trace their ancestry through DNA testing and family records, providing an interesting glimpse into their family history.

Variations of the surname Ehlert

The surname “Ehlert” is a German name that is derived from the Middle German personal name, "Ehler", which is the German form of the Old German name, “Adalheiz”. The name, “Ehlert”, is found most commonly in Germany and there are a variety of spelling variations that are interchangeable with the main spelling.

Common variants of the surname “Ehlert” include: Ahlert, Ahlhart, Ehler, Ehl, Ehrlich, Ehret, Ehrentreich, Erland, Erlant, Erlik, Eulert, Eulhart, and Heilhart.

Surnames of the same origin as “Ehlert” include: Aflert, Ahlberg, Ahlfert, Ahlgert, Ahlhart, Erlant, Erland, Erlend, Erlentz, Erler, Erlerth, Erling, and Ehrentreich.

In Germany, the surname “Ehlert” is found in the historic states of Brandenburg, Saxony, and the Rhineland. In the 18th century, German citizens of the surname “Ehlert” were among the earliest German migrants from the German states of Brandenburg and Saxony and settled in what is now present day Poland. The “Ehlert” surname is also common in the United States. Many German citizens of the surname “Ehlert” immigrated to the US in the 19th century.

In summary, the surname “Ehlert” has various spellings and variants, as well as other surnames of the same origin. Today, the surname is found both in Germany and the United States, as a result of German migration in the 19th and 18th centuries.

Famous people with the name Ehlert

• Lois Ehlert: American writer and illustrator of children's books
• Roy Ehlert: American professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball
• Chris Ehlert: Professional football player
• Charles Ehlert: Naval Officer and Commander of NATO's Allied Land Component Command
• Lothar Ehlert: German retired professional footballer
• Conrad Ehlert: German professional footballer of the early twentieth century
• Walter Ehlert: German film actor
• William B Ehlert: American politician
• Maria Ehlert: German actress
• Mike Ehlert: Former professional wrestler

Other surnames

EhlerEhlerdingEhlers