Surname Erklenz - Meaning and Origin
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Erklenz: What does the surname Erklenz mean?
The last name Erklenz is of German origin, believed to have originated from the German word "erklären," which means to declare or explain. The name most likely originated as a nickname for a person who excelled at explaining or interpreting something. Alternately, Erklenz may derive from the old German word "erkantine" meaning a place of reception where people could find respite from a long journey.
The name is most commonly found in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Variations of the Erklenz surname include Ercklenz, Ercklenze, and Erklens.
Several prominent individuals have bore the surname of Erklenz. Wilhelm Erklenz was an 18th-century German botanist who discovered several species of plants and wrote extensively about them. Eva Marie Erklenz was a German humanitarian who established the first soup kitchens in Vienna during the Habsburg Monarchy in the early 19th century.
The Erklenz surname continues to live on today and those who bear it can take pride in the rich history and tradition from which it originated.
Order DNA origin analysisErklenz: Where does the name Erklenz come from?
The last name Erklenz is most commonly found within Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It may also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Austria and Switzerland's neighbouring countries.
The Erklenz name can be traced back to Low German rik which is the derived from the given name Erich, meaning “ruler of an entire people”, and lenz meaning “strong defender”. The name is derived from the Germanic elements ric, meaning “rich” or “powerful”, and lantz, meaning “guard” or “defend”.
The name Erklenz is most likely derived from the German word “erklentz” which means “rich protectors”. The earliest written record of this surname found in Germany dates back to 1200 AD where its first recorded spelling was Erchelcius.
Today, the Erklenz family are spread far and wide, and there are many families that retain the spelling in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries in the surrounding region. There is also a branch of the family in South Africa, which is likely linked to the Huguenots, who left France in the 16th century to escape religious persecution.
Despite its origins in Germany, the Erklenz family name is not necessarily exclusive to that country, as its widespread presence in Europe and Africa proves. Overall, the last name Erklenz is most commonly found within Germany and German-speaking countries today.
Variations of the surname Erklenz
The surname Erklenz is a German-origin surname. It is also spelled Ercklenz, Erklens, Erklenzz, Erkleynz, Erckele, Erkle, Ereckel, Ercklens, Erklen, Ercle and Erken. Interestingly, some variants of this surname originate from other languages: Erklinas is derived from Lithuanian and Erken is derived from Finnish.
The surname has multiple origins. Generally, it is derived from the pre-7th-century personal name "Ecgheleof," which is composed of the elements "ecg," meaning sharp or edge, and "heil," meaning flat land or meadow. As a result, the name is thought to mean "dweller on or near the edge or border of the heathland," similar to the origin of the surname Erckle. Alternatively, the surname may be derived from the German word "erkle," meaning claw, and could have been used as a nickname for someone with claw-like hands or feet.
In addition to the variants noted above, there are other surnames with similar soundings that have evolved independently from the original. These include Erkan, Erkeny, Erkenbach and Erkey.
Famous people with the name Erklenz
- Franz von Erklenz (16th century Flemish painter)
- Luca Erklenz (German musician)
- Jen Erklenz (American actress)
- Matthias Erklenz (German politician)
- Norbert Erklenz (German actor)
- Adam Erklenz (American graphic designer)
- Robert Erklenz (American photographer)
- Michael Erklenz (American film director, producer, writer)
- Jens Erklenz (German football manager and former player)
- Martha Erklenz (American journalist)
- Hans Erklenz (German contemporary artist)
- Caitlyn Erklenz (American singer/songwriter)
- Christa Erklenz (German journalist)
- Christoph Erklenz (German organist & dulcimer player)
- Karl Erklenz (German television and film actor)
- Daniel Erklenz (German music producer and composer)
- David Erklenz (American film producer and director)