Surname Eilert - Meaning and Origin
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Eilert: What does the surname Eilert mean?
The last name Eilert is generally of German and Dutch origin, and is most commonly found in German-speaking countries., and Dutch-speaking countries.
The literal translation of the word "eilert" is "noble protector". The name has historically been associated with a protective or guard-like role. This could refer to a member of the military, a guard at a castle or a town guard. It is also possible that the name may indicate that the individual had once been a nobleman.
The surname may also derive from the medieval German name Eilhard or Eilrad, which Gabriel Kurisch first mentions in the 14th century. The name is believed to be derived from "arrad" meaning an eagle, or " ehre" meaning honor.
Throughout history, those bearing the last name "Eilert" have had influence in various areas - whether that be in government, as business people or in a public figure role. This is particularly true in countries across Europe such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, and The Netherlands. It has also been recorded as a surname throughout parts of the United States, however receiving the surname outside of its original or native context is less common.
Order DNA origin analysisEilert: Where does the name Eilert come from?
The last name Eilert is most commonly found in Germany today, where it is estimated that around 8,000 people carry the name. It is thought to have first appeared in the region in the late 1500s. It has since spread throughout the country, largely in the northern and western areas.
The name Eilert is thought to come from the Germanic name Eilard or Egilhard. It is a combination of two elements, 'eigo', meaning 'edge' or 'edge of a sword', and 'hard', meaning 'hard', and thus can be translated to mean 'one who is sharp or strong'.
The regions in Germany where you are most likely to find people bearing this last name are: Saxony, Cologne, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Baden-Wuerttemburg, Hesse, and Bremen. Other areas where it is found less commonly include Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the name is present in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Eilert is also associated with a number of distinct coats of arms, including one that features a gold lion on a red background, and another with three black stars against a silver background. These arms are known to be found as far afield as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the United States.
Overall, the last name Eilert is still relatively common in Germany today, as well as in other European countries, and even in the United States. It is often associated with strong, sharp, and steadfast characters, and can be identified in numerous coats of arms throughout Europe.
Variations of the surname Eilert
The surname Eilert has originated from several areas, and has taken on a range of spelling variations over the past few centuries. It is primarily an English surname which is derived from a variety of Germanic sources. The surname may have originated from the Old Norse personal name ‘Eilifðr’, derived from ‘eit’ meaning ‘ever’ and ‘liefðr’ meaning ‘beloved’. It could also be derived from the Old German personal name ‘Albrecht’, meaning ‘noble’ or ‘illustrious’. Furthermore, it may have been derived from the Old High German name ‘Ailreht’, meaning ‘wise ruler’.
The surname Eilert has many variants, such as Eylert, Eildert, Aylert, Ailert, Alert, Ellert, Ellard, Ellerd, Elard, Eleard, Illard, Allard and Elert. Additionally, some of the surnames derived from the Eilert surname include Eyler, Aylor, Eller, Ellor, Elor and Eluer.
Some notable people with the surname Eilert include Prussian Major General Johann August Eilert, who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and Hans-Joachim Eilert, a World War II German flying ace.
Famous people with the name Eilert
- Johann Philipp Eilert (1717–1778): highly regarded Baroque-era German mathematician, physicist, and natural philosopher.
- Chris Eilert (born 1993): American soccer player, midfielder with Chicago Fire.
- Joshua Eilert: (1993-present) American film, theater, and television actor based in Los Angeles.
- Tesco Eilert (born 1965): German cyclist who won multiple gold medals in the early 1980's in various track cycling disciplines.
- Alexander Eilert (1786-1844): Danish painter known for his landscapes and naturalistic compositions.
- Morten Eilert: (born 1942): Norwegian skier and Olympic medalist.
- Ekland Eilert (1705-1769): Norwegian priest and a professor of Practical and Dogmatic Theology at the University of Copenhagen.
- Sven Eilert (1921-2006): German sculptor and painter known for his bronze sculptures.
- Susan Eilert: (born 1956): American author and children's illustrator.
- Kai Eilert (born 1947): executive director of the Norwegian Communications Association and General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists.