Surname Eigenherr - Meaning and Origin
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Eigenherr: What does the surname Eigenherr mean?
The last name Eigenherr is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German language. It translates to “own lord” or “self lord,” which is likely referring to someone who worked and functioned independently of a higher lord, such as a self-employed peasant or craftsman. The root of the word — “eigener” — literally translates to “own” and is derived from the Proto-Germanic language.
Eigenherr likely began as a byname or nickname used to identify certain members of a community, referring to their ability to operate independently of a higher power. In Germany, the family name has been found mainly in eastern parts of the country, particularly in the states of what is now modern-day Saxony.
The earliest known documented references to the name date back to the 14th century in the Prignitzer region of Saxony, when a family with the name of Eynherr, thought to be the earliest known form of the name, was mentioned in official records.
Throughout its history, the name has been spelled in various ways, with variations such as Eginher, Eigiher and Eigner. It has also been adopted in other languages around the world and can be spelled as Eigenher, Aigenloo and Eigenmann.
Today, the name Eigenherr is quite rare, occurring mainly in a small pocket of Silesia and Saxony. Nevertheless, it continues to be popular in this region, representing a proud family history full of independent spirit and self-reliance.
Order DNA origin analysisEigenherr: Where does the name Eigenherr come from?
The last name Eigenherr is most common in German-speaking countries, especially Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to the German Family Tree Hub, the last name is particularly common in Bavaria, Hesse, and Saxony. It is also found in the United States, Canada, France, and Hungary.
The origin of the last name is German and it has two unrelated meanings. In the case of the German “Eigenherr”, it referred to an individual who was in charge of a noble estate. The other meaning of the name, “Eigenherr”, is derived from the Middle High German word eigenhêre and means “lord of ones own”.
The earliest known occurrence of the name on record is a 12th century entry in a “Register of the 85 Markets of the Bishop of Worms”. The name appears in several documents throughout the Middle Ages and it is believed that there have been several generations of family members who have carried it.
Though the last name appears in many locations today, its usage is primarily confined to German-speaking countries. The last name is very uncommon elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Eigenherr
The surname Eigenherr is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic word eigen, meaning “own” or “possessive,” and herr, meaning “master” or “lord.” Literally translated, the name means “own master” or “lord of his own.”
The variants of Eigenherr include Aigenherr, Eikaner, Egenherr, Ehnherr, Eigener, and Einger. The various spellings of this surname include Eiganer, Eingenherr, Eigenharr, Eigenher, Eigenharr, Eigenhauer, and Eighner.
The surnames of potentially related origins include Eiker, Eikermeier, Eikerl, Eiken, Eikens, Eikenberger, Eikerd, and Eigenschink. These surnames are derived from similar Germanic words, including Eiker, which means “lord,” Meier, which refers to “governor,” and Schink, which refers to “senior.”
The surname Eigenherr is still widely used in Germany, with thousands of individuals bearing the name. It is also found in countries with large German-speaking populations, such as Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. As a result, many individuals bearing the surname today may have distant ancestors from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Eigenherr
- Jan Eigenherr: Jan is a German professional racing driver who has won the German Superkarts Racer Championship and achieved success in other European Racing Series.
- David Eigenherr: David is an American author and television writer, best known for his work on the television shows Operation Junkyard and Sam & Max: Freelance Police.
- Kurt Eigenherr: Kurt is a German Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Studies at the University of Erfurt. He is famous for his studies on the role of Humanitarianism and its impacts upon society and culture.
- Sandra Eigenherr: Sandra is a German actress, best known for her roles in the films Waiting for Heaven, Something Evil, and My Private Circus.
- Matt Eigenherr: Matt is an American former professional soccer player, playing in the Major League Soccer from 1996-2001.
- Sarah Eigenherr: Sarah is an American professional climber who has competed in several international climbing competitions across the world.
- Elizabeth Eigenherr: Elizabeth is an Austrian professional figure skater, having competed in the World and European Championships multiple times.
- Anton Eigenherr: Anton is a Swiss entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist, having founded several successful technology companies in Switzerland and Europe.
- Jarret Eigenherr: Jarret is an American actor, best known for his roles in the films Adopt a Highway, Old Soldiers, and Detour.
- Christian Eigenherr: Christian is a German composer and multi-instrumentalist, known for his work on the soundtracks of various films.