Surname Arhilger - Meaning and Origin
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Arhilger: What does the surname Arhilger mean?
The last name Arhilger is a German surname of noble origin. The name derived from the Old German words "ar", meaning "strong" and "hilger", meaning "peaceful and pleasant". It suggests the noble family had a strong desire for peace that likely dates back to the Middle Ages.
Historically, this family would have originated from the Germanic tribes who lived in the area of present-day Bavaria and Franconia in present-day Germany. The family owned land in these regions and were given the title of "Freiherr" (Baron) by the Holy Roman Emperor.
This aristocratic family is thought to have descended from the Bavarian family of Arhilger and living members of the family still reside in the Franconia and Bavarian region. The Arhilger name is also said to have given rise to other names such as Abhilger, Ahlger, and variants of Arholger.
Today, the Arhilger family still exists, typically tracing their ancestry back to Bavaria and Franconia in Germany. The family is renowned for their desire for peace and their desire to live in harmony and cooperation with their neighbours. The family is believed to be of noble origin and still maintains a certain degree of prestige throughout Germany to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisArhilger: Where does the name Arhilger come from?
The last name Arhilger is most common in Germany and several other German-speaking countries. It is estimated that there are over six thousand people in the world with the last name Arhilger, and the vast majority of them can be found in Germany. In the most recent census, this was one of the top 200 last names in the country.
The origins of the name are obscure, but it is believed to come from a combination of words from two languages. The first part, ‘arh’ could be German or Old English for ‘eagle’, meaning that it could be related to a family crest or crest of arms with an eagle as a symbol. The second part, ‘ilger’, is believed to come from the Middle High German for ‘spear’, so it could mean one that carries a spear.
The name also appears in the United States, mainly among heirs of German immigrants who carried the name. It is most prominently found in the state of Wisconsin, as the name was brought across by settlers from Germany’s 19th century migration wave. Additionally, it can be seen in other areas of the country, from states like North Dakota to Pennsylvania.
Clearly, the last name Arhilger is still very common in Germany, and can also be found in the United States among its German-American immigrants.
Variations of the surname Arhilger
The surname Arhilger is actually derived from the personal name Arahilger which was common in Germany in the 15th century and is of German origin. Depending on the region, the surname Arhilger has different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Different spellings of the surname include Arhlager, Arhlagger, Arhelger, Arnhilger, Arnelger, Arnelgre, and Arnhelger.
The spelling variations of the surname are most likely due to the variety of languages spoken at the time people migrated to America. Since some of these languages had different pronunciation rules, the original spelling of the name was likely altered upon reaching the new country.
The surname Erhling is another form of the Arhilger surname, which is based on the German-language word Erling, meaning brave and noble. This surname is still used in German-speaking countries today.
Other surnames of a similar origin include Harhilger, Hurhilger, Krahilger, Khlilger, Ohlhilger and Rarhilger. These surnames were all derived from the original Arhilger surname and likely adopted in various regions throughout Europe.
In some cases, German immigrants to America may have changed their surname to make it easier to read and pronounce as they adapted to their new home. Other variations of the Arhilger surname found in America today include Ahlilger, Haleger, Arlager and Alilger.
Famous people with the name Arhilger
- Dr. Norman Arhilger: Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at Belmont University and professional drummer.
- Tom Arhilger: American swimmer who competed in the Olympic Games and record-holder in multiple events.
- Irene Arhilger: Australian actress who appeared in films such as Crocodile Dundee and Australia Day.
- Ernest Arhilger: German-Polish mathematician and philosopher of science.
- John Arhilger: American Paralympic athlete and wheelchair racer.
- Barbara Arhilger: American athlete and winner of multiple Paralympic medals.
- Peter Arhilger: Swiss ski racer and World Cup winner.
- Patric Arhilger: Canadian ice hockey player and winner of multiple IIHF World Championships.
- Steven Arhilger: American football player and winner of the National Football League's Super Bowl XXIV.
- Susan Arhilger: British sculptor and professional ballet dancer.