Surname Erlein - Meaning and Origin

Erlein: What does the surname Erlein mean?

The last name Erlein is of German origin and is derived from 'Erle', the German word for an alder tree. The alder tree was often found symbolically in stories and is known for its strength and resilience in wet environments and its usefulness as a construction timber. It has also been likened to the qualities of an old warrior, due to its spiky and more rigid appearance.

The surname Erlein would have been initially adopted as a indicator that the bearer of the name was associated to the tree or had some ancestral connection with it, otherwise as a sign of an admirable connection with strength, endurance and resilience. Over the centuries, the Erlein name developed and became spread out as part of the Bourgeoisieoriginating near modern Germany, in the south-eastern area of Bavaria, before eventually migrating to other parts of Europe over the course of a few generations.

The Erlein surnames are not popular and appear to have been systematically spread throughout Germany and its neighbouring countries, which suggests that the original bearers were family members of a higher social standing. In some cases, thename was also bestowed on soldiers who served in the original Bavarian army and upon nobles who married family members of the Bavarian aristocracy.

Today, Erlein remains a very uncommon last name and one that is often associated with those of German heritage. It is, however, considered a noble and revered name due to its association with alder trees and the qualities for which they stand. It is believed that those who bear the last name have the strength, confidence, and resilience to live a life of true integrity, qualities that no doubt will be passed down from generation to generation for years to come.

Erlein: Where does the name Erlein come from?

The last name Erlein is most common today in Germany, where it is estimated that around 5,460 individuals currently bear the surname. It is also found in the United States, where records indicate that more than 330 people have the name. However, these numbers do not reflect the true spread of the loyal name, as many bearers have moved away from their countries of origin or changed their names.

The origins of the name Erlein seem to be Swedish, as many records have been found in Sweden that date all the way back to the 1400s. In that time, the best guess is that the name was used to refer to the person's profession or occupation.

In modern day Germany, the name Erlein is fairly popular and is used mainly in the southern and southwestern parts of the country. It is also often used in areas that are close to the borders of France, Switzerland, and Austria.

Due to the migration of people with this name over time, it is likely to be found in many other countries across the world. In particular, the United States is home to many people who have the Erlein surname, with records indicating that bearers of the name can be found in nearly all fifty states.

Variations of the surname Erlein

The surname Erlein is a German origin name, which has numerous variations in spelling and other surnames that share the same etymological origin. The variant spellings for this name include Erlin, Erling, Erlingen, Erblin, Erblen, Erblein, Erblein, Erlien, Erlinen, Errellin and Errellen.

Some related surnames of Erlein consist of Erle and Erlebach, both of which are derived from the Old German personal name Erle. Erlen and Erlenbach can also be traced to the same root and were used as topographical names, denoted for someone living near an alder tree.

An additional related name, Erlacher, has origins in the Bavarian language, with Erla meaning ‘earth’ and cher meaning ‘a person who lives’. Therefore, Erlacher generally denotes ‘person who lives on earth’.

Other surnames derived from Erlein include Erlaug (son of the earl) and Erlam (family of the earl). The list of related surnames doesn’t end here, with Erlt, Erli, Erld and Erlinda all related to Erlein through universal language conventions.

Erlein is an old German name with a long and respected pedigree. Its variants and related surnames hint at the importance that this name has held throughout Europe over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Erlein

• Bill Erlebacher: Former professional baseball player.
• Brian Erlebach: Actor who has starred in numerous television shows and films.
• Robert Erlebach: Professional golfer with multiple wins on the European Tour.
• Constantin Erlebach: Composer and organist from the Baroque period.
• David Erlebach: Singer and songwriter from South Africa.
• Jaroslav Erlebach: Czech composer and ethnomusicologist.
• Robert Erlebach: Professional photographer from the United States.
• Brian Erlenbach: Congress director at Americans for Prosperity Foundation.
• Shaun Erlenbruck: Professional mixed martial arts fighter.
• Kat Erlenbusch: Professional curler and bronze medalist in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

Erleigh