Surname Eyck - Meaning and Origin

Eyck: What does the surname Eyck mean?

The surname Eyck is an Dutch and German surname, which has its origin in the ancient Middle Ages. The name is derived from the old Dutch word ‘ayke', meaning 'oak tree'. It was generally given to individuals who lived in or near woods where oaks grew.

The surname was likely introduced to Europe as early as the 8th century with the conversion of Frisia to Christianity, during which time it became associated with the well-known aristocratic House of Eyck, which dates back to the 11th century and held lands in the region of what is now the Netherlands. During the Middle Ages, the Eyck family gained prominence in the county of Holland, eventually becoming powerful rulers in the region.

Today, the surname Eyck is primarily common in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, but is also found throughout Europe and North and South America. It is still associated with the aristocratic House of Eyck, which, known principally for their significant contributions to music and art, remain an important part of the region’s cultural history.

Eyck: Where does the name Eyck come from?

The last name Eyck is largely seen in North West Europe, especially the Netherlands and Belgium, and in countries with large Dutch speaking populations such as South Africa and Surinam. Eyck is a Germanic name that mainly originated in the German-speaking region of the Rhineland in medieval times. The first known Eyck is from the year 1290 and is believed to have been a member of a noble family who lived in the region.

Today, the last name Eyck is both a common and an old family name. It is still quite popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the Netherland's, Eyck is the 48th most popular last name and it is even more common in Belgium where it is the 8th most popular name.

The name Eyck is found in different parts of the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Surinam, and Argentina. The United States has one of the largest populations of Eyck today, with Eyck being the 4000th most common surname in the U.S.

Many European and American Eycks are traced back to Dutch influences on their cultures. Whether you are looking for an ancestor with the last name Eyck or you are just curious about the last name, you can be sure that it has a great presence in North West Europe and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Eyck

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin from the surname Eyck include: Aick, Ayck, Ayke, Eick, Eickb, Eickbe, Eike, Eycke, Eycken, Eykes, Ick, Ickes and Oick. These variations stem from various regions across Europe.

In Germany, the Eyck surname is usually spelled as Aick or Ayck. For Dutch primarily Roman Catholic regions, the common spelling for Eyck is Eycken. When looking at England, one can find various spellings such as Eike, Ick, Ickes and Oick.

The Eyck name can be traced back to the 12th century and was initially used as a personal identifier. In some regions, it was used to identify individuals who were related to one another or who were born in the same area. The Eyck name has even been associated with nobility, having been used by various members of European aristocratic families.

Throughout the centuries, the Eyck family name has had various spellings, depending on the region and the language used. The various spellings for the Eyck surname can be used to trace individual’s family lineages within Europe. It is important to note that the large number of variations of the name must be taken into consideration when doing research into its various family branches.

Famous people with the name Eyck

• Jan van Eyck: Jan van Eyck (1390-1441) was a Flemish painter known as the “Father of the Northern Renaissance” for his pioneering contributions to art. He is most famous for his painting of the Arnolfini Wedding.
• Hubert van Eyck: Hubert van Eyck (c. 1366-1426) was a Dutch painter and older brother of Jan. He is believed to be the artist behind the Ghent Altarpiece, one of the most important works of Early Netherlandish painting.
• Peter Paul Rubens: Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was a Flemish Baroque painter who often collaborated with Jan van Eyck’s family members on various works of art. He is best known for his impressive paintings of figures from classical antiquity.
• Roger van Eyck: Roger van Eyck (1445-1491) was a Dutch painter who worked in Italy. He is known for his religious and landscape paintings, as well as his contribution to the Arnolfini Wedding painting, which he collaborated on with Jan.
• Margareta van Eyck: Margareta van Eyck (1439-1503) was a Dutch painter and older sister of Jan who specialized in miniature painting. She is best known for her beautiful paintings of flowers and plants.
• Johannette van Eyck: Johannette van Eyck (1421-1474) was a Dutch painter and younger sister of Jan who specialized in manuscript illumination. Her works are among the earliest examples of female northern Renaissance art.

Other surnames

Eycke