Surname Ekhard - Meaning and Origin

Ekhard: What does the surname Ekhard mean?

The last name Ekhard is an occupational surname of German origin. It derived from the German vocab word ‘Eckard’ which was used to identify a firm but disciplined employer or official. The surname was originally used by someone who worked in a clerical or administrative role, particularly for a nobleman or high-ranking member of society.

The name Ekhard was introduced to the English language in the mid-12th century, when Germanic settlers brought it to England during the Norman conquest. It has remained popular in England ever since.

In the German language, the word ‘Eckard’ is derived from the word ‘eck’, which means an edge or corner. As such, the name can be interpreted to mean ‘a person of firm, unwavering commitment and dependability’. That is why it first designated someone who was employed in some sort of administrative position of power.

Ekhard is a rare surname today, with just over 200 people sharing it in the United States as of 2020. It is most common in the midwest, particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Globally, the name is found in Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada, and Austria.

In conclusion, the surname Ekhard is of Germanic origin and has been in use since the mid-12th century. It denotes a person of unwavering commitment and reliability, and was originally used to describe a firm but disciplined employer or official. The name remains rare today, but is most commonly found in Germany, the UK, Portugal, Canada, and Austria.

Ekhard: Where does the name Ekhard come from?

The last name Ekhard is most commonly found in modern times in Germany and Austria. As of 2017, there were 4,834 people with the last name Ekhard living in Germany, making it the 567th most common surname in the country. In Austria, over 1,749 people carried the name Ekhard, making it the 292nd most common name. It is less common in countries outside of Europe.

The origin of the name is German in origin, deriving from the given name Edward, which itself is derived from the Old English language with the meaning "guardian of prosperity." Over time, the name Edward evolved from Old English to Middle English and eventually to Modern English in the form "Edward." Various forms of the name have been created by various Germanic and Slavic language families, and the modern form of the name "Ekhard" is German.

The last name Ekhard is most likely found in Europe, most predominantly in Germany and Austria as a result of its Germanic origin. It is becoming increasingly rare due to people moving away from traditional last names in favour of more creative, modern names.

Variations of the surname Ekhard

The surname Ekhard is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Heihardh, which is composed of two elements: heid, meaning ‘strife’ or ‘struggle’, and hard, meaning ‘hard’ in the sense of ‘strong’.

The modern spelling of the surname, Ekhard, is found throughout Germany, Scandinavia and other German-speaking regions. There are also a few variants of the surname, including Aichard, Echaird, Eichard, and Eckhard.

In the United States, Ekhard can also be found spelled as Eckhart, Eckard, and Ekard. In Britain, it can also be found spelled as Eckardt or Eckart. In France, it is often seen spelled as Echard or Ehchart.

Surnames that are believed to have derived from the same origin as Ekhard include Echert, Eckerdt, Eckert, Eckhardt, Eichert, Hechard, Hechler, Heiden, Heidenreich, Heiland, Heilman, Heimdahl, Heimstad, Heiner, Heintz, and Helander.

Each of these surnames has its own spelling and variations in differing regions, though they all can trace back to the same root given name.

The surname Ekhard is one of the oldest European surnames, which indicates that many of these related spellings were derived early on from the same original Heinhard. As such, each of the variants of the surname Ekhard may share a common ancestor from the Middle Ages or even earlier.

Famous people with the name Ekhard

• Mark Ekhard: American professional ice hockey player.
• Prosper Ekhard: French zoologist and civil servant who worked at the Paris Zoological Park in the early twentieth century.
• Kristina Ekhard: Swedish politician who served as a Member of the Swedish Parliament for the Moderate Party from 2006 to 2010.
• William B. Ekhard: American politician and a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 94th District from 2007 to 2011.
• Anna Ekhard: Austrian actress and singer, best known for appearing in many musicals in Vienna.
• Jursivka Ekhard: Ukrainian businessman and politician who currently serves as the Head of the Novoarkhangelsk City Council.
• Erik Ekhard: Swedish film director and producer, and the founder of the film production company, Laster Film & TV.
• Amelia Ekhard: British actor, best known for her roles in the play The Hobbit, and most recently in the television series, Broadchurch.
• Eric Ekhard: Swedish-born actor, best known for playing Captain Doe in the television series, Jenssen & Wachter and in the films Around the Globe.
• Jenny Ekhard: Danish author and illustrator, best known for her books such as The Ladybird and My First Book of Dinosaurs.

Other surnames

EkhardtEkhart