Surname Engelbrecht - Meaning and Origin
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Engelbrecht: What does the surname Engelbrecht mean?
The last name Engelbrecht is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German words ingil and beraht meaning “a bright angel”. This surname was likely passed down from generations of families who lived near a shrine dedicated to an angel, prompting them to take on the name as a badge of honour.
It is a popularly used surname in Germany and is also found in countries around the world as immigrants emigrated in search of new opportunities. It is likely to have first been used to denote a person with some religious or spiritual affiliation, likely to a particular angel or patron saint.
Today Engelbrecht is also a common first name in many countries, being chosen by parents as a unique but meaningful name. The spelling variations of the name include Engelbert, Engebrecht, Engilbert, Engilbrecht, and Englebrecht.
In modern times the Engelbrecht name represents a strong commitment to faith and hope for the future. The connotation of bringing light or being a beacon of hope is a trait that many have adopted in their own lives. The name is a beautiful reminder that even in darkness, there is always the possibility of light.
Order DNA origin analysisEngelbrecht: Where does the name Engelbrecht come from?
The last name Engelbrecht is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. This surname is derived from the German word "Engel," which means angel, and "brecht," which means beautiful or bright. In Germany, the name is particularly popular in the southwestern states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. It is less common in other parts of the country.
In the Netherlands, Engelbrecht is the 252nd most popular surname. It is found throughout the country, but particularly in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Almere, Utrecht, and The Hague. It is also relatively common in the northern Dutch province of Friesland.
Engelbrecht is also found in Afrikaans- speaking countries, especially South Africa. This is because the name was brought to the country by German settlers during colonial times. In South Africa, the Engelbrecht name can be especially found in the provinces of the Western Cape and the Northern Cape.
The Engelbrecht name is uncommon in the United States and Canada, but there are still a few individuals with this surname in both countries. It is also present in Austria, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Engelbrecht
Engelbrecht is a German surname derived from the German personal name Engel or Engelbert from the Old Germanic elements 'Engel' and 'berht', meaning “bright angel”. The surname is found in Germany, South Africa, and other countries with a large German population.
Variants of the surname include Engelbercht, Engelhart, Engelhardt, and Engelbrechta.
Spellings of Engelbrecht may also vary, including Engelbrech, Engelbrecht, Engelbrect, Engelbreck, Englebrecht, Englebracht, and Englebrecht.
Surnames of similar origin include Engelhard, Engels, Enegel, and Engelman, all of which share the same meaning of “bright angel”.
In South Africa, the surname may be found spelled as Inkelbrect or Enkelbrect, derived from the Afrikaans variation of the original German Engelbrecht. The spelling may also be slightly different in other countries such as Austria, Hungary, and Poland.
In family genealogy, it is important to remember that the spelling of a name may vary across generations and countries, which may require some creative investigation to ensure the accuracy of family trees.
Famous people with the name Engelbrecht
- Dayne Engelbrecht: South African soccer player
- Yolandi Engelbrecht: South African actor
- Markus Engelbrecht: German politician
- Fabian Engelbrecht: German sprint canoer
- Michael Engelbrecht: South African music composer
- Heini Engelbrecht: Hungarian artist
- Frikkie Engelbrecht: South African jazz musician
- Harald Engelbrecht: German opera singer
- Ernst Engelbrecht: German archer
- Daniel Engelbrecht: German soccer player
- Harald Engelbrecht: Swedish entrepreneur
- August Engelbrecht: German chess player
- Ortrud Engelbrecht: German storyteller
- Clarence Engelbrecht: American basketball analyst