Surname Lembrechts - Meaning and Origin

Lembrechts: What does the surname Lembrechts mean?

The last name Lembrechts is a Dutch patronymic surname of Germanic origin. The name derives from the Middle Dutch lembret, meaning "reference" or "memorandum".

The surname Lembrechts is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it is especially concentrated in the province of Antwerp. The name is also found in Germany, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia.

As a surname, Lembrechts is likely to have been originally assumed by someone referred to as "lembret", either being a scribe or a messenger. It was not uncommon in the Middle Ages for someone to take on a profession-based name because medieval society was highly stratified and a surname was an important social marker. It is possible that the Lembrechts family trace their ancestry to these early individuals.

The name Lembrechts appears in records dating back to the early 16th century, with Cornelis Lambrechts of Antwerp, Belgium, recorded as owning a house deed in 1514. Notable bearers of the Lembrechts last name include Adolph Lembrechts (1719-1781), a painter and sculptor of Flemish origin, and Constant Lembrechts (1853-1933), a Belgian sailor and painter.

Today the Lembrechts surname remains a common Dutch and Belgian name and is also found in Germany. Amongst its bearers are likely descendants of the original medieval bearers of the name, although in many cases the history of family lineages has been lost to time.

Lembrechts: Where does the name Lembrechts come from?

The last name Lembrechts is mainly associated with the origin countries of Belgium and The Netherlands. There is an influential stronghold in the region of Flanders, in the northern part of Belgium.

The Lembrechts family is believed to have originated in the kingdom of Kingdom of Flanders, a region of Belgium and The Netherlands that dates back to around the 5th century CE. As evidenced by local records, the Lembrechts began their journey in Flanders and spread into an array of other countries throughout Europe.

The surname is believed to be derived from “lombard” which is an Old French word for a type of heroic person. It could also have been derived from the word “lembrek” which was the name of a North Germanic tribe.

Today, Lembrechts is still a very common surname primarily in Belgium and The Netherlands, although it can also be found in parts of Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and the UK. This renowned name is especially concentrated in Flemish provinces such as Limburg, Antwerp, and East and West Flanders. In particular, the municipality of Rekkem in East Flanders is the locus of the surname Lembrechts.

In America, the Lembrechts name is not as common as in Europe; however, records do show that some Lembrechts family members have relocated to America.

Regardless of the city, state, or country, the unifying factor among Lembrechts has always been a sense of pride in their family and ancestry, and the drive to excel in all aspects of life.

Variations of the surname Lembrechts

Lembrechts is an uncommon Dutch surname often spelled as Lembrecht, Lembrechts, Limbrecht, Limbrechts, Limbregts, Limbricks, Limbrick, and Limbregt. The first known instance of this name appears around 1516 in the Netherlands.

The Lembrechts surname is likely an occupational name that emerged from the Olde Frisian word lumbrits, which refers to someone who dealt with wooden frames or casings used in the construction of homes and churches in those days. The name may also have derived from the German name Limprecht.

In the Middle Ages, family names in the Netherlands were often taken from occupations or geographic locations. Lembrechts likely represents an inhabitant of a village called Lumbrits, a small village in southeastern Netherlands.

The Lembrechts family had spread throughout the Netherlands during the 15th and 16th centuries, though the majority of the family remained in the south. Some members of the family began to immigrate to the United States in the 19th century.

Today, though still rare, Lembrecht, Lembrechts, Limbrecht, Limbrechts, Limbregts, Limbricks, Limbrick, and Limbregt are common surnames in both the Netherlands and the United States.

Famous people with the name Lembrechts

• Alain Lembrechts: Alain Lembrechts is a retired Belgian football winger. During his professional career, Lembrechts represented teams from Belgium, England, and France.
• Jakub Lembrechts: Jakub Lembrechts is a professional Polish esports player and Twitch streamer. Primarily playing the competitive shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Lembrechts currently competes with a high-level, professional team.
• Ludwig Lembrechts: Ludwig Lembrechts was a Belgian football goalkeeper who played in the 1950s and 1960s. Most notably, he represented Belgian side Lommel SK, where he was instrumental in helping the team to the Belgian Cup Final in 1964.
• Julie Lembrechts: Julie Lembrechts is a Belgian model and actress. She made her acting debut in 2010 with the film "Summer Love" and has since appeared in a variety of visually stunning films, as well as commercials for major international brands.
• Hans Lembrechts: Hans Lembrechts was a Belgian sculptor renowned for his unique abstract style. Lembrechts was highly active in the art scene during the 1950s and 1960s, creating art installations that were visionary for their time.
• Sébastien Lembrechts: Sébastien Lembrechts is a Belgian entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder and CEO of the award-winning company Ampersand, a digital marketing agency based in Brussels.
• Jonas Lembrechts: Jonas Lembrechts is a professional Belgian swimmer who specializes in butterfly and freestyle events. He has won multiple Olympic medals, and is the current record holder for the 100 m freestyle event in Belgium.
• Louis Lembrechts: Louis Lembrechts is a professional cyclist from Belgium. He is best known for his two-year stint as a professional cyclist with the Astana Pro Team in 2011 and 2012.
• Jürgen Lembrechts: Jürgen Lembrechts is a German football manager and former player. He is currently the Director of Football at Bundesliga club Hertha BSC.

Other surnames

Lembrecht