Surname Ehrlich - Meaning and Origin

Ehrlich's Lineage Unraveled: An Insightful Experience with iGENEA DNA Test

Venture into the journey of using iGENEA DNA test and unravel an intricate backstory of the Ehrlich lineage, enhanced by unexpected surprises, connections with distant relatives, and an expansive familial narrative.

B. Ehrlich

Ehrlich: What does the surname Ehrlich mean?

The last name Ehrlich originates from German and has multiple possible meanings. The most common interpretation is “honorable” or “respectable” which is derived from the German word “ehrlich” which translates to “honest” or “upright”. Because of this, the surname Ehrlich carries an admirable connotation in many countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In addition to its literal definition, the surname Ehrlich can also mean “noble”, “faithful”, “brave” or “loyal”. As a result, many people who bear the last name today tend to possess these traits. This could be due to the fact that the surname has been around for centuries, likely evolving from an ancestor or family member who was highly regarded and respected in their local community.

Overall, the last name Ehrlich has been highly valued and cherished by many people over the years, likely because it has historically been associated with goodness and honor. It is not surprising that many people who bear the name today still do their best to live up to its reputation.

Ehrlich: Where does the name Ehrlich come from?

The last name Ehrlich is most commonly found in Germany and Eastern European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. In Germany, it is near the border of Bavaria and Saxony, and is most common in Bavarian cities and towns such as Munich, Nuremberg, and Furth. It is also prevalent in cities in the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

In the United States, the name Ehrlich and its variations, such as Auerlich and Ahrlich, are most likely descendants of Jewish immigrants from Germany and Eastern Europe who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ehrlich is also a common name among the Jewish population in Israel, where German and Eastern European immigrants were encouraged to settle in the early part of the 20th century.

There are many variations of the last name Ehrlich, largely due to the fact that it is an occupational or descriptive surname, meaning it originally derived from an ancestor's profession or physical characteristic. Variations include Ehrlichman, Ehrlichmann, Erlichman, Ehler, Ehrlinger, Ehrl, Erlich, Erlacher, Erlebach, Erlbacher, Erlenbach, Erlenmeyer, and Erlenmüller.

Despite its prevalence in Germany and Eastern Europe, the last name Ehrlich is spread across multiple countries and cultures. As immigration continues to shape and diversify the global population, the name Ehrlich will remain a recognizable surname for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Ehrlich

The surname Ehrlich has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The original spelling of Ehrlich is simply Ehrlich, but it is also sometimes seen as Ehrich, Ehrlichmann, Ehriche, Erlich, Erlichmann, Erlichem, and Ehrichmann.

The surname Ehrlich is derived from an old Germanic word meaning "honesty" or "sincerity." This may have been a person's name originally, meant to indicate that they were an honest person. The spelling variations of Ehrlich have developed over time, as the spelling of Germanic names changed, and as the pronunciation changed in different dialects.

The variations of Ehrlich may be found in other languages as well, such as the Dutch version Eerlijk, the Swedish version Eriksson or Eriksdotter, the Danish version Eriksen or Eriksdatter, the Polish version Erykowska, and the Slovak version Ehrlig.

The surname Ehrlich is also related to the English family names Herrick and Ericson (and its variants, such as Erickson). These family names are derived from the same Germanic roots and share the same meaning of "honesty" or "sincerity," indicating that their original owners were considered honest people.

In addition to these variants, spellings and surnames, the surname Ehrlich may also be found with the addition of a prefix, such as deEhrlich or vonEhrlich. The prefix de indicated that the original bearer was from a certain region, and the prefix von indicated that the original bearer was of noble birth.

Famous people with the name Ehrlich

• Paul Ehrlich: Paul Ehrlich was a German physician and biologist renowned for his pioneering work in immunology. He received the Nobel Prize in 1908 for his research on the therapeutic uses of dyes, which laid the foundations for chemotherapy.
• Sandra Day O’Connor: Sandra Day O’Connor was the first female United States Supreme Court Justice. She served as an associate justice from 1981 to 2006. She is known for her support of women’s rights and other progressive causes.
• Carl Ehrlich: Carl Ehrlich was a Polish-born American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder and president of Central Leather Co. and served as a member of the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Franz Ehrlich: Franz Ehrlich was an Austrian-born German architect and urban planner. He is best remembered for his innovative designs of the covered arcades along Ringstrasse.
• Philip H. Ehrlich: Philip H. Ehrlich was an American lawyer and Calvin Coolidge’s attorney general. He was also the first Jewish cabinet member.
• Felix Ehrlich: Felix Ehrlich was a German war-time diplomat who served as the German military plenipotentiary to Japan.
• Albert Ehrlich: Albert J. Ehrlich was an American photographer and advertising executive who was instrumental in elevating photography into a professional profession.
• Mark Ehrlich: Mark Ehrlich is a German-born founder an executive of sports nutrition organization GUMMIES. He is a renowned sports nutrition entrepreneur.
• Alan Ehrlich: Alan Ehrlich is a contemporary American abstract artist and educator. He is best known for his luminous paintings featuring bold color gradients and geometric patterns.
• Arthur Ehrlich: Arthur Ehrlich was an eminent German lawyer and jurist. He was one of the most influential voices in German legal theory and is known for his blend of ethical and legal principles.

Other surnames

EhrlicherEhrlichmann