Surname Helmrichs - Meaning and Origin

Helmrichs: What does the surname Helmrichs mean?

The surname Helmrichs is a widely dispersed German surname, first found in the Hanseatic regions of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, and in the Central German Mecklenburg region. The name is of patronymic origin, likely derived from the given name Helmrich and indicated descent from parents with that name. The word Helmric in German is composed of two elements, ‘helm’, meaning “helmet”, and ‘ric’, meaning “ruler”; when combined they translate as “ruler of the helmet”, or “lord of the helmet”.

The original Helmrich surname was associated with the nobility of northern Germany, and likely with a military past. It is not uncommon to find Helmrichs members of septs, which are family clans comprising of several related families who adopted a common name.

The Helmrichs family crest is a blue and silver shield displaying two crossed swords with two roses at the middle. A blue ribbon encircles the shield with the words “Treue und Mut”, which translate as “Loyalty and courage”. The meaning of the shield and ribbon are meant to display the values and ideals of a loyal Helmrichs family.

Today, there are descendant lines of the Helmrichs all over Europe, from Germany to Scandinavian countries. It’s likely their legacy has spread even further, all thanks to the progenitor of the Helmrichs surname, and their ideals of loyalty and courage.

Helmrichs: Where does the name Helmrichs come from?

The last name Helmrichs is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the German “Name Atlas” statistics, Helmrichs can be found throughout Germany but is most heavily concentrated in western Germany, particularly North Rhine-Westphalia. It is believed to be of Germanic origin and may actually derive from a family name that once belonged to nobility. Helm is a German word meaning “helmet” or “protective covering,” and -rich is a suffix often found in German family names.

Today, the Helmrichs family name is found among the general population in Germany, particularly in western parts of the country. It is possible to find people with the Helmrichs last name living in the United States and other countries, due to German immigrants and their descendants.

In Germany, a person with the Helmrichs last name may identify with the humanist movement, as well as Catholic or Protestant religious affiliations. Those with origins in the family name can be found in politics, art, science and other areas.

Variations of the surname Helmrichs

The Helmrichs surname is of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "helm" meaning helmet, and "riche" meaning power. It is believed the name indicates an ancestor who was a powerful knight or warrior who wore a full helm. The different variants of Helmrichs include Helmerichs, Helmericks, Helmreichs, Helmreicks, Helmrychs, Helms, Hellmrichs, Helmrycks and Helmrys.

The spelling of the surname Helmrichs can also vary depending on geographical location. In Germany, the variants often seen are Helmerichs and Hellmrichs, whereas in Holland and Belgium, the Helmericks and Helmreicks spellings are more common.

The surnames associated with Helmrichs are Helm, Hellm, Helmes, Helmles and Helmens, which are all derivatives of the Middle High German Helm word. These surnames are often found in records from the Netherlands and Belgium and indicate a more recent migration of the Helmrichs family.

The Helmrichs surname can also be found in other countries around the world due to migration. In Australian archives, the Helmrichs variant is mostly found with the Helmles spelling, which indicates descendants of the Dutch settlers of the nineteenth century. Similarly, in New Zealand, the variant Helmles is most common.

Overall, the Helmrichs surname is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These countries often have their own unique spelling variants, thus it is important to take note of the spelling variant in each country.

Famous people with the name Helmrichs

• Lars Helmrichs: German actor, producer, director, editor, photographer, and writer
• Ben Helmrichs: German businessperson, former CFO of Dräger Group
• Marc Helmrichs: German football player
• Jana Helmrich: German Paralympic athlete
• Katharina Helmrichs: German actress and director
• Yehuda Helmrichs: Dutch actor
• Tony Helmrichs: German stuntman and actor
• Helen Helmrichs: Australian actress and producer
• Tom Helmrich: German professor and academic
• Sammy Helmrichs: German fashion designer

Other surnames

Helmrich