Surname Elsass - Meaning and Origin

Elsass: What does the surname Elsass mean?

Elsass is a Germanic surname derived from the region of Alsace in France. The root meaning, "people from Alsace," reflects the Germanic influences of the region that was part of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries before it fell to France during the War of the First Coalition in 1792.

The meaning of Elsass has been tied to the German-language name for the region, Elsass, since the mid-18th Century. It is a combination of the words “el”, meaning “the”, and “sass”, an old German term for land or country. It was first used to denote those people or families who had strong connections to the region and often living outside it.

The Elsass name has traveled beyond the region's Germanic influences and is also common in America, where many families with German ancestry came to live in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the Elsass name is often associated with a family heritage and a strong connection to Germanic culture and traditions.

In addition to being a Germanic surname of origin, Elsass is also found in several other areas of the world. It is spelled differently, depending on the region and language in which it is spelled. For example, in French, the spelling is “Alsace”, while in Spanish it is “Elssas”, and in Italian it is “Elsasa”.

Regardless of spelling, the surname Elsass is strongly associated with the Germanic influences of Alsace, France, and provides strong heritage associations for individuals who bear the name.

Elsass: Where does the name Elsass come from?

The last name Elsass (also spelled Elzas) is a common family name of German-speaking origin, found throughout Europe and North America. It originates from the region formerly known as Alsace-Lorraine, which today is split between France and Germany. Elsass is a toponymic name, which means that it was derived from the geographic area of Alsace-Lorraine.

In France, the last name Elsass is most commonly found along the Alsace border with Germany. The region has historically been heavily influenced by both French and German culture and language, and many of its inhabitants have Elsass as one of their last names. The surname is particularly common in the cities of Strasbourg, Metz, and Mulhouse. France also has a town called Elsass, located in the department of Moselle.

The surname Elsass is also very popular in Germany, especially in the state of Baden-Württemberg, near the Franco-German border. In the former East Germany, Elsass was an especially popular name, as many German citizens migrated from France and adopted the surname. Elsass is also found in some smaller pockets of Austria and Switzerland.

In the United States, the Elsass family name is particularly prevalent in many areas that were home to ex-patriots from the region, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Smaller numbers of Elsass family names can be found in other parts of the United States, including California, Texas, and New York.

Overall, the Elsass name is still quite common today in Europe, especially in areas of France, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also found in pockets throughout the United States, primarily among descendants who originated from the French or German regions near the Alsace-Lorraine border.

Variations of the surname Elsass

The surname Elsass is derived from the region of Alsace, a region located in the northeast of France that borders Germany and Switzerland. The German spelling of Alsace is Elsass, which is where the surname Elsass originates.

The variants of Elsass as a surname include Elsace, Elssas, Elsas, Ellsass, and Elsasser. Some spelling variations can be due to regional dialects, another language influencing the spelling, or simply a difference in spelling.

Some surnames of similar origin to Elsass include Elsässer, Elsasser, Elssasser, Elssas, Elsas, Elsäser, and Elsässer. They all have similar pronunciations, usually starting with an "eh" sound, and many of them share the same spelling of Elsass.

Some surnames of different origins but still related to Elsass are Ells, Ellsa, Elsa, Ellas, Alsace, Alcaise, and Elschein. Elschein, for example, is derived from the Old German words "elize" and "scein" meaning bright and shining respectively.

Overall, the surname Elsass is derived from the region in France known as Alsace, but many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin exist.

Famous people with the name Elsass

• Dr. Heidi Elsasser: Dr. Elsasser is a certified medical doctor from the United States. She is known for her work in health care and specifically in the research and management of chronic allergy conditions.
• Kit Carson: Kit Carson was a famous frontiersman and explorer in the United States during the 1800’s. He has been honored throughout the years for his explorations and is a great figure in American history
• Carolyn Elsass: Carolyn Elsass is a prominent artist based in the United States. She is known for her colorful abstract art and vibrant photography.
• Joshua Elsass: Joshua Elsass is an actor and director based in the United States. He has had roles in shows such as The X-Files and Dexter and has also directed multiple short films and music videos.
• Rachel Elsass: Rachel Elsass is an American actress best known for her roles in films such as Heaven Is For Real and Homeland.
• Frank Elsass: Frank Elsass is a renowned sculptor and painter based in Germany. He is known for his realistic sculptures of people and animals as well as his detailed landscapes.
• Sarah Elsass: Sarah Elsass is a philanthropist and humanitarian from the United States. She is known for her charity work and humanitarian aid efforts in developing countries around the world.
• Eric Elsass: Eric Elsass is an award-winning graphic designer and art director from the United States. He is best known for his bold typography and clean branding designs.
• Bill Elsass: Bill Elsass is an American Hall of fame professional football coach. He is most known for coaching the Mayo Clinic to three Super Bowls and winning two during his tenure.
• Sean Elsass: Sean Elsass is a lawyer and county magistrate from Australia. He is known for his work in criminal law, family law and constitutional law.

Other surnames

ElsasElsäserElsasserElsässer