Surname Ehlscheid - Meaning and Origin

Ehlscheid: What does the surname Ehlscheid mean?

The last name ‘Ehlscheid’ is likely derived from an old German word meaning “nobleman.” This is supported by the fact that most people with this last name reside in Germany, and the name has been in use in the country since the medieval period.

One possible origin of the name is from the German surname ‘Ehlescheid’, which was a title of nobility bestowed upon a particular family living in the area of Selzen in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The title was granted to this family long ago in recognition of their service to the region and had significant social status within the region at the time period.

The current spelling of the name ‘Ehlscheid’ is likely a more modernized version of the surname, which has been used since the 18th century. Since this spelling began to be used, the family name has become much more common as it spread throughout Germany.

The name remains very popular today, and families with this surname are still present in the Rheinland-Palatinate region in Germany. The name ‘Ehlscheid’ continues to have a privileged status, and those lucky enough to bear the surname are recognized and respected for their heritage.

Ehlscheid: Where does the name Ehlscheid come from?

The last name Ehlscheid is most common today in western Germany, specifically in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. According to Verwandt.de, a genealogy and family history website, the last name is most common in the cities of Bad Soden-Salmünster, Darmstadt, Frankfurt am Main, and Mülheim an der Ruhr.

The origins of the last name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 13th century, in Germany. The last name is derived from a personal name coined from the Middle High German eche meaning “edge” or “border” and schide meaning “forest” or “woodland”. It is thought that those with this last name were forest dwellers who lived on the edges of forests, likely woodmen.

Over time, peoples with this last name have spread out all over the country, though the proportion of individuals with this last name is still highest in western Germany. Furthermore, the last name has been found in other countries such as the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States, having spread throughout the world with emigrants from the original German inhabitants.

In contemporary Germany, the last name continues to be relatively common, though its spelling has changed over the centuries (Ehlscheid, Ehlscheit, and Elschich are a few of its variations). A number of individuals of note have carried the name including Ludwig Ehlscheid, a member of the German Resistance during World War II, Dr. Gerhard Ehlscheid, a scientist and professor at the University of Frankfurt, and Christian Ehlscheid, a musician and composer based in Berlin.

Variations of the surname Ehlscheid

Ehlscheid is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word “scheid,” meaning “to divide.” The surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin, including Aulscheid, AylefScheid, Ehlshaid, Ehlsheid, Ehlsheide, Eilscheidt, Elcheick, Elcheik, Elcheid, Elesheid, Elscheid, Elscheide, Elsheid, Elsheide, and Elshied.

In Germany, some variations of the surname include Aelscheid, Elscheit, and Elschweidt, while in parts of Saxony, the surname is known as Aelscheidt. Moving to other German-speaking countries, the Dutch variant is Elscheid while the German-Swiss variant is known as Elschweid.

In Austria, the variants of the name are Elecheid, Elscheid, and Elecheit, while in numerous other regions the surname is spelled Elcheidt. Moving to the United States, many spelling variations of the surname appear, like Alceidt, Elceide, Elceidth, Elchoit, Elsheade, and Elysheidt.

In parts of France, Ehlscheid is known as Cheid and Elche and in Belgium, as Aulscheide and Eleche. In Scotland, the surname is spelled Achlicht and Achlicht, while in Hungary, it is known as Elecheid and in the Netherlands, it is Aylscheid.

Altogether, there are many neighboring countries and regions where the surname Ehlscheid has evolved into different variants and spellings, as a result of immigration and cultural influences.

Famous people with the name Ehlscheid

• Arndt Ehlscheid: a German actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in King of Berlin, The Fifth Estate, Little Thirteen, and Prime Time.
• Hayo Ehlscheid: a former German professional footballer who played for VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and the German national team.
• Joachim Ehlscheid: a retired German professional basketball player best known for his career in the German Basketball Bundesliga.
• Otto Ehlscheid: a German sculptor and medallist whose works were exhibited throughout Europe and are still part of art collections.
• Heinrich Ehlscheid: a German painter, graphic artist, and sculptor who received numerous awards for his works.
• Johann Jakob Ehlscheid: an 18th-century German educator and theologian who was also a member of the Order of Brethren of the Common Life.
• Christoph Ehlscheid: a German landscape painter and architect who was active in the Rhineland during the 18th century.
• Gabriel Ehlscheid: a German metalworker of the beginning of the 18th century who was known for his works in copper, brass, and bronze.
• Erich Ehlscheid: a former German professional footballer who represented the German national team in several famous international tournaments.
• Johannes Ehlscheid: a 19th-century German author whose works were widely read throughout the German-speaking countries.

Other surnames

Ehlscheidt