Surname Erichs - Meaning and Origin
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Erichs: What does the surname Erichs mean?
The last name Erichs is of German origin. It is derived from a personal or first name, which ultimately derives from the Old German phrase ‘eric’ meaning ‘noble ruler’. This, in turn, derives from the Old High German ‘er’ meaning ‘honor’ and ‘rîch’ meaning ‘rule’. The name Erichs is a patronymic or hereditary name, meaning that it was passed on from father to son. It is most likely to have been used to identify the son of a man named Erich.
The surname Erichs is fairly common throughout Germany, with records indicating that it has been present since the 13th century when it was first recorded in Bavaria. In more recent times, the Erichs last name can be found in various countries across Europe, linked to the diaspora of Germanic peoples throughout the Old World.
The name Erichs does not have many meanings beyond its basic origin. By extension, it can be seen to represent nobility, honor and strong leadership, likely associated with the family name's original bearer. The modern use of the name can also be linked with the spirit of German nationalism, indicative of the Erichs family history.
Order DNA origin analysisErichs: Where does the name Erichs come from?
The last name Erichs is most commonly found in Germany. It is one of the 20 most common surnames in Germany today, with over 4,500 people bearing the name. It is also found in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland. In North America, it is primarily found in Canada, particularly in Ontario, where the most significant number of people with the last name live.
It likely originated in Germany, as its root can be traced to various Germanic languages. The root word is “erigo”, which means “powerful ruler”. The form of the name has also changed over time, with various spellings - Erich, Erikson, Erick, Erickso, Erichs etc.
Historically, the Erichs name was very common among aristocratic families and nobility in Middle Ages Germany. This is likely the reason why it is still so common today - because it was passed down through generations of powerful families.
The Erichs name is still commonly found throughout Germany, as well as other parts of Europe and North America. Its continued popularity indicates that it will remain a common name for much longer.
Variations of the surname Erichs
Erichs is an Anglo-Saxon, German, and Dutch surname that is derived from the given name Erich. The first recorded use of the name was in the 12th century, when one Erichs was noted in the cartulary of St. Cyriak in Osnabrück, Germany.
Variants of the Erichs surname include:
- Ahrens
- Arens
- Airichs
- Egters
- Erics
- Ericson
- Ericsonn
- Erich
- Erichsen
- Erichson
- Erick
- Ericken
- Erickse
- Erieck
- Erickso
- Erics
- Ericsdottir
- Ericsson
- Ericsonn
- Erkson
- Erik
- Eriks
- Eriksdottir
- Eriksen
- Erikson
- Erkse
- Erksen
- Erkson
- Erksson
- Erxen
While the surname Erichs has Germanic roots, many families who kept this surname have since spread throughout Europe and the United States. It is possible to find both spellings–Erichs as well as variants–in the records of these countries.
In North America, the surname Erichs may have been Anglicized to the spelling Erickson or even to the shortened version Eric, as both spellings are found interchangeably in United States records. In Europe, variants such as Ericsdottir, Ericsonn, and Eriksen have also been adopted. Additionally, many families with this surname have adopted patronymic surnames such as Erikdottir or Eriksdottir in Scandinavia.
Ultimately, the variants of the Erichs surname can be divided into four basic categories: (1) Germanic; (2) Scandinavian; (3) acquired variants; and (4) Anglicized versions. Despite the various spellings and forms, all of these surnames represent the same surname of Erichs origin.
Famous people with the name Erichs
- actor Stephen Erichs
- former soccer player Jürgen Erichs
- rapper digitalX (Christoph Erichs)
- former professional basketball player Renė Erichs 5 .singer/songwriter Julianne Erichs
- former professional football player Jürgen Erichs
- singer Webo Erichs
- psychologist Oskar Erichs
- artist Sigurd Erichs
- poker player Frank Erichs