Surname Ulbrecht - Meaning and Origin
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Ulbrecht: What does the surname Ulbrecht mean?
The last name Ulbrecht is of German origin, meaning “noble” or “of noble blood.” It is derived from the German words “ulb” and “er”, with “er” meaning “man” or “person” and “ulb” meaning “noble” or “highborn”. The name is derived from a German noble professional who, in the Middle Ages, was entrusted with all economic and business-related duties for a baron or prince.
Ulbrecht can be found in many German speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in certain parts of the United States. Research suggests that it was one of the first names brought over to the United States by German immigrants in the mid-eighteenth century. It was recorded in 1750 when Ulbrecht Steigmeier immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Though likely to be uncommon in the US, Ulbrecht is still quite popular in German speaking countries. There are numerous people with the last name Ulbrecht in these countries, many of whom trace their ancestry back to the Middle Ages. Their descendants are known for their hard-working and humble nature, but perhaps most of all, for their strong sense of provenance and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisUlbrecht: Where does the name Ulbrecht come from?
The last name Ulbrecht is common mainly in Central and Eastern Europe. It is concentrated in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, particularly in Bavaria in Germany. It is also listed as an Ulster name in Northern Ireland. The name is mainly of German origin, from a Germanic personal name Ulbricht, composed of the elements "Uodal" or "Udal" meaning "heritage or legacy" and "beraht" meaning "bright".
The earliest records of the name can be found in Bavarian archives dating back to the 1500s, when the Burger Ulbrecht was recorded in Oberschwabsioderche. In 1634 a Hans Ulbrecht was recorded in Wolfenbüttel. Early references show that the family was widespread in Bavaria at that time, with settlements in Lebenhof, Embach, Obererneuhaus and Elsebach, as well as in Arnstadt.
The name Ulbrecht is found throughout Germany today, especially in the south, a testament to the survival of the original Bavarian settlements. The name is also found in Austria, including several villages named Ulbrechts, and the Czech Republic.
In Northern Ireland, the name is found mainly in recent Ulster Scots families. In the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, the Ulbrecht name is found in the Isle of Islay's revised list of family names, tracing the history of certain families from the 1600s through to the present day.
Today, the Ulbrecht name is still very common in Europe, but also appears scattered across other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname Ulbrecht
Ulbrecht (along with its various spellings and possible origin variants) is a last name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Uoluhari or Uolbirih, which was composed of the elements "uolu" meaning "wolf" and "hari/birih" meaning "army, warrior".
Possible spelling variants of the name include: Uhlbrect, Uhlbrecht, Ulbrech, Ulbrecht, Ullbrecht, Uhlbrecht.
The surname Ulbrecht is also found in the United States under the names Ullbrecht, Uhlbrecht, Uhlbrect, and Uhlbrecht. They are all variations of the same name.
The first recorded spelling of the given name Ulbrecht can be dated back to 1232 in the city of Augsburg, Germany. The name has since spread across Germany, Switzerland, France, and other parts of Europe before settling in North American countries like the United States.
The surname may have also been changed slightly during the immigration process from Europe to the United States in order to comply with the spelling of the English Language.
Other variations of the same origin of Ulbrecht include Uhlbrih, Ulbrecht, Ulbricht, Ullbrih, Uhlbrih, Ullbrecht, Uhlbrecht, Uhlbricht, Uhlbrecht and Uhlbrect.
Ulbrecht is also connected to other surnames. The surnames Eulberg, Eulburg, and Wallbrecht are all variations of Ulbrecht, as they are derived from the same root. It is possible that these variations of the name could have even had different meanings, or be entirely separate surnames, as people changed their surnames at will.
Famous people with the name Ulbrecht
- Brett Ulbrecht: An American professional basketball player who plays for the Bay Packers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Ulf Ulbrecht: A German modern pentathlete who has competed at the Olympics and World Championships.
- Barnabas Ulbrecht: An Austrian former cross-country skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
- Nick Ulbrecht: An American professional road bike racer who competed in the 2014 Tour de France.
- Rafael Ulbrecht: A Brazilian professional basketball player who has played for teams in Brazil and Italy.
- Rob Ulbrecht: An Australian former professional cricketer who played in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Alexander Ulbrecht: A former German bobsledder who competed in the 1982 Winter Olympics.
- Alastair Ulbrecht: A current Canadian judoka who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- David Ulbrecht: An American former Major League Baseball player who appeared in one game for the Oakland Athletics in 1997.
- Kalliope Ulbrecht: A German former long-distance runner who won the silver medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics.