Surname Else - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Else: What does the surname Else mean?
The last name Else does not have a specific meaning as many surnames do. It is a surname of English and German origin and may have evolved from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Elsi. The name Else can also be found among people of Dutch and Scandinavian descent. Some people with the last name Else could be from Northern Germany, given that the name is fairly common in that part of the country.
In some instances, the name Else may also be a variation of Aylse, which was derived from the given name Alice. Alice, in turn, evolved from the French and German Alis which is derived from the Greek name ‘Aalis’, meaning ‘noble’. This form of the name became popular in England during the Middle Ages.
Families bearing the last name Else could have originated from many locations around the world, including England, Germany, Scandinavia, France, and the Netherlands. The surname could also possibly derive from a particular occupation, although more research is needed in this area to determine its origin.
Overall, the surname Else could have several different meanings and origins, most of which remain largely unknown. It could be derived from a personal name, a place name, or an occupation. Therefore, it is difficult to trace the exact origin and meaning of the last name Else.
Order DNA origin analysisElse: Where does the name Else come from?
The surname Else is a well-known German name and can be found throughout Europe. It is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. Else is considered a relatively old name in Europe and has been in use for centuries.
The Else surname originates from Germanic backgrounds, often taking on variations depending on the region. In Germany, it is sometimes spelled Elsener or Elsen, in the Netherlands it is often spelled Elssen, and in the United Kingdom it is often spelled Elce.
The origins of the Else name have been traced back to Middle Ages Germany, taking on different variations and spellings throughout Europe. The Else name first became popular for its use in the legal profession. However, by the 15th century, the Else name was being used by wealthy merchants as an expression of their success.
The Else name can still be found widely distributed today, with many descendants claiming a Germanic heritage. In the United States, Else is the 810th most common surname with approximately 0.8 out of every 100,000 people having the Else name. It is most prevalently found in the southwestern parts of the United States, such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Today, the Else name continues to enjoy popularity throughout Europe and North America, spreading widely from its original Germanic roots. Descendants of the Else family can be found in many countries and continue to honor their legacy as they help keep the Else surname alive.
Variations of the surname Else
The surname Else is an English name of medieval origin which is derived from The name of the village of Elsfield in Oxfordshire. Variants of this surname include Elce, Elsey, Ellse, Els, Elsee, Elsoe, Elsworth, and Elseyd. Spellings of the surname Else can also be found with two e's such as Ellsee, Ellsy, Ellseye, Ellseey, Ellseeye, Ellssee, Ellcee, Ellcey, Ellceye.
It is also possible to find surname variations by region. For example in German the surname can be spelled as Elsen or Ellsen, while in French it is commonly spelled as Elsé or Elsel. in Dutch it is Eelse and in Scandinavian languages such as Swedish and Norwegian sometimes vowel interchange occur and the surname is written as Elsé or Ellsé.
Surnames of the same origin as else include Elsworth, Elbridge, Ellery, Elger, Elkington, Elkins, Elwell, and Ellwood. These surnames are all derived from either an individual belonging to a particular village such as Elsworth, Elger and Elger’s Hill or from an occupation such as Ellery, Elkinton, and Elkins as a leader of a herd of elk.
The surname Else can also be found combined with other surnames, for example Elsworthy or Elkinsely. This occurs when two people from different families decide to combine their surnames, usually following marriage. It is possible to find other combinations such as Ellseyford, Elsfieldson, EllsBridgey and Elsonburgh.
No matter the variant, spelling or surname of the same origin, they all have the same origin which is the village of Elsfield in Oxfordshire.
Famous people with the name Else
- Jack Else, English footballer who most recently played for Salford City.
- Kerry Else, South African-born Canadian rugby player who plays for the University of Victoria.
- Chris Else, Canadian-born New Zealand novelist and poet.
- Will Else, British sprinter who represented his country at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Judy Else, English former actress who appeared in 1968 feature film The Leather Boys.
- Maria Else, English former swimmer who represented her country at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
- Andy Else, English former professional footballer who played for the likes of Carlisle United and Shrewsbury.
- David Else, English former professional golfer who competed in the European Tour, PGA Tour and Sunshine Tour.
- Ilse Else, Austrian actress who played Helena in the drama movieCross Roads in 2004.
- Stella Else, American singer-songwriter who is best known for her single “Life is Like”.