Surname Erlenkötter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Erlenkötter: What does the surname Erlenkötter mean?
The last name Erlenkötter is of German origin, which makes it a fairly common surname throughout Germany. It is derived from the German words for “alder” (Erle) and “container” (Kötter). Erlenkötter can thus be loosely translated as “one who collects alder wood.” The surname is likely taken from a profession or trade, which indicates that the ancestors of Erlenkötter family were likely woodcutters or carpenters who used the alder wood as a main component of their work.
Alder is a very popular material in German crafts and home-building. It is valued for its strength and durability, and it has a distinctive appearance due to its fine grain. The wood is used in everything from furniture to cabinetry to flooring, and is a popular material for a variety of non-woodworking projects as well. Being so versatile, it is no wonder the Erlenkötter family was associated with this profession.
Alder wood is also a great choice for those who enjoy working with hand tools as it is relatively soft and easy to handle. It is also relatively light compared to other harder woods, making it a great option for furniture that needs to be moved around.
Due to its usage in carving and other woodworking tasks, alder wood has become a hallmark of German craftsmanship. While the profession of woodworking has drastically changed in recent decades, the name Erlenkötter remains a reminder of the traditional skills of the German people.
Order DNA origin analysisErlenkötter: Where does the name Erlenkötter come from?
The last name Erlenkötter is most commonly found in Germany. This surname is relatively rare and is not found in large numbers elsewhere in the world. It likely began in the Middle Ages and is derived from a German word meaning "oak twigs or foliage". In Germany, some of the largest concentrations of the Erlenkötter surname can be found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. The name Erlenkötter is also present in small numbers in other European countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
The Erlenkötter surname has also spread further afield. It is particularly prominent in the United States, where it was first brought by immigrants arriving in the 19th century. This includes areas such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, and California. The Erlenkötter name is also present in countries around the world, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Thus, the surname Erlenkötter is predominantly found in Germany, with significant concentrations in the United States and other European countries. It is likely descended from Middle Age Germany, and has since dispersed around the world.
Variations of the surname Erlenkötter
The surname Erlenkötter is a patronymic German surname which originates from an old given name that can be found as early as the 12th century. It is derived from the German words “erle”, meaning “alder” and “kötter”, which indicates the occupation of the bearer in the middle ages. This surname can have various spellings, such as Erlenkötter, Erlenköster, Erlenküster, Erlenkoster, and even Erlencoeter. The ancestral variants of this surname are also names such as Erlkötter, Erlköster, and Erlküster. Surnames that derive from Erlenkötter include Erlenkotterer, Erlinger, Erlenbusch, Erlenger, and Erlenmeyer.
All of these surnames have their individual distinctions but are all thought to be of the same origin. Erlenkötter itself is usually found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hesse, and their surname descendants are spread around the world.
The Erlenkötters can be traced back to the 10th/11th century, with the earliest known record being found during 1180 in the village of Fürth, which is located in the northernmost part of Hesse, Germany. This document mentions one of the first persons with this surname, Rodolf Erlencöter, who was involved in village affairs.
Famous people with the name Erlenkötter
- Regina Erlenkötter: German politician
- Lennard Erlenkötter: German photographer
- Johnny Erlenkötter: American football player
- Gina Erlenkötter: German painter and sculptor
- Christoph Erlenkötter: German scientist
- Janna Erlenkötter: German nutritionist
- Max Erlenkötter: German film producer
- Johnathan Erlenkötter: Swiss football player
- Dr. Jürgen Erlenkötter: German psychologist
- Michelle Erlenkötter: French fashion designer
- Peter Erlenkötter: Austrian actor
- Katharina Erlenkötter: German set designer
- Anke Erlenkötter: German music producer
- Volker Erlenkötter: German author
- Manuel Erlenkötter: German professional photographer
- Emma Erlenkötter: Swiss lawyer and legal expert
- Rudolf Erlenkötter: Austrian politician
- Walter Erlenkötter: German general
- Till Erlenkötter: German sportsman
- Alexander Erlenkötter: German germanist
- Therese Erlenkötter: Swiss economist
- Tobias Erlenkötter: German soccer coach
- Charles Erlenkötter: Austrian musician
- Ursula Erlenkötter: German meteorologist
- Thomas Erlenkötter: German editor