Surname Ettle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Ettle: What does the surname Ettle mean?
The last name Ettle is of German origin, and is believed to have derived from the personal name Arthur. It is a nickname surname, meaning that it was a reference to an individual’s physical characteristics or personality traits. The name is an Anglicized form of Etzel, or a variation on the name Edward.
In some cases, the name could also be derived from the Middle English ethen, meaning strong, brave, or subtle. German variants of the surname include Ettel, Ettling, Ettlinger, and Ettlinger. The name is likely related to several other German surnames, including Ethel, Ettinger, Ettlich, Ettmen, and Edling.
The surname Ettle was first found in Württemberg, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. The Ettle family history goes back to the 13th century, when records show that the family was involved in local politics and held a number of seats over the centuries in the high courts of the state of Württemberg.
The Ettle surname is not uncommon in most countries today, and there are several famous people who bear this surname. Ernst Ettle, a German historian, Edward Ettle, a British intelligence officer, Carl Ettle, a Swiss architect, and Harry Ettle, an American-born Canadian whaler.
Order DNA origin analysisEttle: Where does the name Ettle come from?
The surname Ettle is mainly concentrated in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the country. According to the 2020 US Census, an estimated 427 people bear this surname, with instances of the name most heavily populated in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota.
The Ettle surname is of German/Swiss origin, coming from the personal name Attila, which means 'father of swords' or 'father of battle'. Though the name is fairly uncommon today, in earlier times it was relatively widespread due to its almost mythological origins.
Indeed, the story goes that the surname derives from Attila the Hun, a famous ruler in the fifth century who commanded a large army and led multiple invasions of the Roman Empire. The original bearer of the surname was presumably a descendant of Attila's ancestors and thus inherited the name as their surname.
Today, the Ettle surname springs up in random locations all over the US, including in Arkansas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Indiana. In other parts of the world, however, the surname Ettle is rare.
Variations of the surname Ettle
The surname Ettle is a German and English surname derived from the Old English term ethel meaning 'noble'. It is also spelled as Etel, Ettel, Ette, Etelbaum, Ethelbaum and Etle. However, it is sometimes confused with similar names such as Etling, Ettling and Ettl.
In Germany, this surname has its roots in various areas such as Brandenburg, Bavaria and Silesia. It is believed to have been formed from the dithematic name formation of the prefix 'Ethel' and the suffix 'lil' and 'leud' meaning 'people' or 'race'. It is also quite common to find Ettle as a variation of the longer name 'Ettelbaum', which may qualify as a metronymic name derived from a female ancestor.
The English version of this surname originates from the Middle Ages, and it is found mostly in Kent, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and London. People with the name Ettle are generally assumed to be of English descent, but recent DNA studies on British samples indicate that it may be possible to trace the surname back to German origins.
The most widespread Ettle families are found in the United States, England and Germany, particularly in the East Coast regions of the USA and major cities such as Philadelphia. It is estimated that around 19,000 people bear the surname Ettle in the US alone, making it one of the most common surnames in the country.
The surname Ettle, as well as its many variants and spellings, is a reminder of an ancient and widespread European culture. It is an important indicator of past migrations, intermarriage, assimilation and cultural exchange caused by early settlers and their descendants.
Famous people with the name Ettle
- Elliott Erwitt: American photographer
- John Ettle: Professional British golfer
- Gordon Ettle: Co-Founder and CEO of Ettle Enterprises, Inc.
- Jack Ettle: Former English cricketer
- John Ettle: British Anglican priest and academic
- Brian Ettle: Former English professional Footballer
- Kirsten Ettle: British singer-songwriter, composer and producer
- Kelly Ettle: American actress and model
- David Ettle: British artist and sculptor
- Joshua Ettle: American scientist and environmental engineer