Surname Ehrlacher - Meaning and Origin
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Ehrlacher: What does the surname Ehrlacher mean?
The last name Ehrlacher is of German origin, and can be roughly translated to mean "widget maker" or "maker of trinkets". It is believed to have first been used by people who made small items such as tools, jewelry, and other decorative objects.
In German, the word "ehr" meaning to honour or respect, combined with the suffix "er" denoting a person of a certain profession, is what comprises the name. Therefore, Ehrlacher literally means "honourable maker" or "respected maker".
Most people who bear the name Ehrlacher trace their roots back to the German folk artisans of Europe during the 16th to 19th centuries. They were generally poor and lived in small, tightly-knit communities. They were usually skilled craftsmen, working with wood, metal, and stone. Their artistry was demonstrated in the range of objects they created – from wooden knick-knacks and ornaments to highly ornate jewelry and religious artifacts.
Ehrlacher remains a popular name today, and appears to have migrated throughout Europe and the United States. It is often associated with artistic works and craftsmanship, reflecting the proud heritage of the original Ehrlacher makers from centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisEhrlacher: Where does the name Ehrlacher come from?
The last name Ehrlacher is most commonly found in the western part of Germany, particularly in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg. It is also found with a small presence in Austria and Switzerland.
The first occurrence of this surname dates back to the 15th century, when a family from the town of Annweiler began using the name. Since then, the name has spread throughout the western part of the country. In the early 19th century, the Ehrlacher name became particularly popular in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.
Today, Ehrlacher is one of the most common surnames in the region, and it is also found with a smaller presence in neighboring Austria and Switzerland. It is still commonly found in the original area near Annweiler, as well as in larger German cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich.
In the United States, the name Ehrlacher can also be found. A significant number of people who bear this name emigrated from Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which is why it is now quite common in the US. While most of the American Ehrlachers are descended from German ancestors, some of them may have roots in Austria or Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Ehrlacher
The surname Ehrlacher can be spelled in many different ways, depending on the language or dialect in which it is written. Variations of the surname include Ertlacher, Erdlacher, Ertlacker, Erdlecker, Erdlacker, Ehrlacker, and Ehrlecker. In German, this surname is also spelled Irtlacher and Irtlinger. In addition, some researchers have located variants of this surname in Switzerland, where it is sometimes spelled Erlechner, Ehrlechner, Erlenchner, and Erlachner.
In other languages, the surname can also be interpreted differently. Some French spellings are Erlacher, Elahar, and Erlaker. Ancient Czech and Slovak spellings include Erloch, Erlochov, Erlocha, and Erlochova. In Italian, this surname may be written as Erlacheri, Erlachiano, Erlacci, Erralciand or Erralchie.
Although the majority of people with the Ehrlacher name are found in the modern-day German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there were also other European locations where this surname was used in the Middle Ages. Examples of these locations include Burgundy, Normandy, Brittany, Alsace, and Poland.
When researching the origin of this surname, it is important to keep in mind the many variations of spelling for this name. Much of the early evidence for this surname is found in written records, such as tax records, land and property documents, birth records, baptismal records, and settlement records. By comparing different variants of the name over time, it is possible to piece together a family history.
Famous people with the name Ehrlacher
- Richard Ehrlacher: Richard Ehrlacher is a French rally driver from Alsace, France. He has raced in the WRC and IRC and has won several rallies in the IRC.
- Werner Ehrlacher: Werner Ehrlacher is a French Alpine skier who competed for the French national team in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and several FIS Alpine Ski Nordic World Cup series. He won a total of seven World Cup races in his career.
- Mathieu Ehrlacher: Mathieu Ehrlacher is a French rally driver and the son of Richard Ehrlacher. He competes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and has been the runner-up twice in the embassiesdetails Trophy.
- Luca Ehrlacher: Luca Ehrlacher is a German footballer who is currently playing for the German second-tier side Duisburg.
- Michel Ehrlacher: Michel Ehrlacher is a French skydiver who has competed in numerous world championships in parachuting, paragliding and wingsuit flying.
- Emmanuel Ehrlacher: Emmanuel Ehrlacher is a French composer, conductor, singer, pianist, actor and voice artist. He has composed and arranged scores for television, theatres and films.
- Charles Ehrlacher: Charles Ehrlacher is a Swiss fencer. He competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics in fencing in the épée team event for Switzerland.
- Beatrice Ehrlacher: Beatrice Ehrlacher is a Swiss Olympic fencer. She was part of the Swiss team that won a silver medal in the inaugural women's épée team event at the 2018 World Fencing Championships.