Surname Erlinghagen - Meaning and Origin

Erlinghagen: What does the surname Erlinghagen mean?

Erlinghagen is a German surname derived from two distinct root words. It can be broken down to either 'erling', meaning an 'honourable prince', or 'hagen', meaning an 'enclosed area for livestock'. Both of these terms are derived from old German and Anglo-Saxon language commonly used in the Dark and Middle Ages.

The exact origin of this name is uncertain, though its lineage can still be traced back to Germany, and possibly the Rhine region. It is believed to have been an aristocratic name, passed down by generations of those in influential positions or with wealth.

The coat of arms for the Erlinghagen name features a golden eagle surrounded by black and white diamonds, as well as four golden fleur de lis. This reflects a family with long-standing heritage and a noble past.

Over the centuries, the Erlinghagen name has been adopted by people from many walks of life, from farmers and traders to politicians and entrepreneurs. In modern times, people with the Erlinghagen surname can be found in many countries, from Germany and other parts of Europe to North America and Australia.

Nowadays, the Erlinghagen surname is a reminder of a once powerful and influential family, but also a means of connection for those with blood ties to a legacy that extends back many centuries.

Erlinghagen: Where does the name Erlinghagen come from?

The surname Erlinghagen is associated today with several countries, primarily Germany, Austria, and the United States. The surname is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony where it is quite widespread. It is also particularly common in the Austrian states of Salzburg and Tyrol, as well as the American states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.

Erlinghagen is likely derived from an old-Germanic given name 'Erling', meaning 'noble descendant', plus the surname suffix '-ag(e)n'. This suggests the name may originally have been a patronymic, indicating family descent from a man bearing the given name Erling.

Erlinghagen is thus a relatively old Germanic surname, originating in the medieval period and linked to families from regions connecting present-day Germany and Austria. This suggests it is likely of Frankish origin, an ethnic group from the early medieval period in German history who bore the name 'Erling' in their old German-Frankic language.

Today, Erlinghagen is a mainly German-Austrian name. In the United States, it is found primarily among descendants of German-speaking immigrants who settled in Wisconsin and Iowa in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as in southern Illinois. In all cases, the surname is relatively uncommon, and is often related to small localized populations in their respective countries.

Variations of the surname Erlinghagen

Erlinghagen is a German surname derived from the given name Erling. It is also spelled as Earlinghagen, Earlinghauen, Erlinghauen, Erlinghagen, Earlinghausen and variants of these.

The Erlinghagen (Earlinghagen, Earlinghausen) surname has origins in the Lower Rhine and Westphalia regions of Germany. The earliest known ancestor of the Erlinghagen line named Jakob Erlinghagen was a Christian and farmer living in Jänkersdorf, Westphalia in 1788. He had two sons; Johann and Fritz Erlinghagen, who went on to start their own families and ultimately spread the Erlinghagen name.

Variant spellings of Erlinghagen include Erlinghauen and Earlinghausen. Earlinghagen (Earlinghauen) could be another variant, which could be derived from the Old German name Arnulf or Arnold. The use of "Ear" as a prefix could also signify a nickname for Erling, such as the German word for "eagle" (Adler).

Other surnames derived from the given name Erling include Erling, Erfle, Erle, and Herling.

The Erlinghagen surname has spread outside of Germany, with families bearing the surname living in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries.

The Erlinghagen surname is popular among immigrants from Germany and can be found in many different forms, depending on the location and spelling variations.

Famous people with the name Erlinghagen

• Johan Erlinghagen: Swedish professional footballer currently playing for IFK Norrköping.
• Elsa Erlinghagen: Swedish skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
• Stina Erlinghagen: Swedish former sprinter who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Felix Erlinghagen: Swedish sprint canoer who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Felix Erlinghagen: Swedish footballer who played for IFK Göteborg from 2002 to 2016.
• Manfred Erlinghagen: German art director, production designer and actor who won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for his film "The Killing Fields" in 1984.
• Arne Erlinghagen: Norwegian musician, orchestra conductor and composer.
• Tor Erlinghagen: Swedish footballer who played for a number of clubs in Scandinavia, including IFK Göteborg and Östers IF.
• Gustav Erlinghagen: Swedish aerial photographer and film director.
• Carl Erlinghagen: Swedish figure skater who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

Erlinghäuser