Surname Erat - Meaning and Origin
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Erat: What does the surname Erat mean?
The last name Erat is German in origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "erat," meaning "ploughman." The word is thought to have originally referred to a farmer or agricultural worker, and is related to the same root as the German word for "earth," "erde." By extension, the last name Erat has come to mean one who works the land.
There is no universal meaning for the last name Erat, as its exact origin is related to an individual's specific family history. However, in some cases, the name Erat may have originally referred to people who moved to an area and adopted a trade related to ploughing as a means of making a living. It is also possible that the name was adopted by an individual as a reference to the rusticity of their family history.
The last name Erat can be found in many countries around the world, but it is particularly common in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, where it is the seventh most common last name. It is also found across the United States, with one in every 9072 Americans having the last name Erat.
Today, individuals with the last name Erat are remembered for their hardworking and humble roots. As they worked the land and provided for their families, their legacy lives on as those of modern generations with the last name Erat honour their traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisErat: Where does the name Erat come from?
The last name Erat is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is particularly prevalent in Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is also quite common throughout Germany, Austria, and Finland.
The etymology of the name Erat is believed to come from the Latin term "eras," meaning ploughed land, and is thought to have evolved as a surname through agricultural areas where the name's reference to ploughing the land was most relevant. The original form of Erat was most likely either Erat, Erath, or Errath.
Erat is currently one of the most common surnames in Hungary, where it is pronounced “Errod.” In Hungary, Erat is most frequently found in the counties Hajdú-Bihar, Bács-Kiskun, and Somogy. In Slovakia, it is the 102nd most common name, so while not particularly common, it can still be found in the country.
In the United States, the surname Erat is of notably less prevalence. It is currently the 10,590th most common name, according to the US Census Bureau, and is mostly found in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, California, Virginia, and Indiana.
While Erat is not as common as it is some parts of Europe, it can still be found all over the world.
Variations of the surname Erat
The surnames Erat, Erath, Erathmueller (or Erathmüller), Erné, Erni, Esch, Eser, Eserier, and Erater are all variants of the same origin.
Erat is a surname derived from the Germanic word ‘ear’, which means ‘honour’ or ‘nobility’. As such, Erat is likely an occupational surname for someone who held a prominent place in their community.
Erath is a spelling variation of Erat, but it could also originate from the Germanic root word ‘erath’, which means ‘property’, ‘land’ or ‘estate’. This could indicate that an ancestor of the Erath family owned land or property.
Erathmueller (or Erathmüller) is a variation that originated in Germany. It is derived from the Germanic words ‘erath’ and ‘muller’, which means ‘cup-bearer’ or ‘servant’. This suggests that an ancestor of the Erathmueller family was a cup-bearer or servant to a prominent figure.
Erné is a variation of Erat that originates from Eastern Europe, most likely Germany or Poland. It shares the same origin as Erat, being derived from the Germanic root ‘ear’.
Erni is another spelling variation of the surname that originates from Germany. It is derived from the German word ‘erni’, which means ‘eagle’. This suggests that an ancestor of the Erni family held a crest with an eagle, or was a noble titled for a respected deed that was related to an eagle.
Esch is another spelling variation of Erat. It is also derived from the Germanic word ‘ear’, and is likely an occupational surname for someone with a prominent place in their community.
Eser is a spelling variation of Erat that originates in Eastern Europe. It is derived from the Germanic root word ‘ser’, which means ‘to defend’. This might indicate that an ancestor of the Eser family once defended their people or land.
Eserier is a spelling variation of Erat that originates in France. It is derived from the French word ‘eserier’, which means ‘sheaf’ or ‘bundle’. This suggests that an ancestor of the Eserier family once owned or transported bundles of items.
Erater is another spelling variant of Erat, originating in Germany. It is derived from the Germanic words ‘erath’ and ‘ter’, which mean ‘land’ and ‘inhabitant’. This may suggest that an ancestor of the Erater family owned land or dealt with property.
Famous people with the name Erat
- Jiri Erat: former ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals
- Zdeno Erat: former ice hockey player for the Dallas Stars
- Jakub Erat: former ice hockey player for the Nashville Predators
- Robert Erat: mountaineer and explorer
- Paul Erat: Austrian-born celebrity chef
- Dani Erat: German beauty pageant winner
- Bart Erat: Belgian cyclist
- Michael Erat: German professional golfer
- Jakub Erat: Czech football player
- Viteslav Erat: Czech ice hockey player
- Wladimir Erat: Russian ice hockey player
- Miloslav Erat: Czech ice hockey player
- Andre Erat: Canadian professional snowboarder
- Jan Erat: Czech musical director and conductor
- Ivan Erat: Slovenian football player
- Oleg Erat: Russian football player
- Ivan Erat: Swiss footballer
- Jan Erat: Czech hockey player
- Radim Erat: Czech curler
- Toivo Erat: Finnish-born author and poet