Surname Engelhard - Meaning and Origin

Tracing my Engelhard Roots: Insights from iGENEA DNA Test into my Patrilineal and Matrilineal Heritage

The experience with iGENEA's DNA testing system provided remarkable insight into the Engelhard lineage. The thorough examination of both paternal and maternal lineages provided an intriguing journey back through the centuries, unearthing roots in Northern Europe and enlightening me about the rich history embedded in my surname.

N. Engelhard

Engelhard: What does the surname Engelhard mean?

The last name Engelhard is of German origin. The word "Engel" means "angel" in German, and "hard" is a corresponding Old German suffix indicating strength or fortitude. The Engelhard surname has variously been found to mean "angel-strong", "divinely strong", and "angel-minded".

The use of the Engelhard last name has been documented as far back as the 12th century, when medieval German documentation describes the Engelhard family as living in the province of Bavaria. The records of the Stiftsamt München from that period describe the Engelhard family as "of the noble class" and as possessing a "distinguished lineage".

The Engelhard family can trace its lineage to the city of Freising, Bavaria, and the nearby Howenstein Castle. The Engelhard family was involved in local commerce and administration, and played a significant role in the formation of Bavarian culture.

The Engelhard name remains carried with great pride throughout Germany today. To be descended from a family of such noble standing is considered a great honor, and Engelhards everywhere proudly display the Engelhard coat of arms. There are also many Engelhard descendants living in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world, ensuring that the legacy of the Engelhard family continues to this day.

Engelhard: Where does the name Engelhard come from?

The last name Engelhard is a German surname, most commonly found in the countries that border Germany such as Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It is also found in the United States, where it was brought to the country by German immigrants. According to the US Census Bureau in 1980, there were 1,250 people with the surname Engelhard living in the United States.

Today, the surname Engelhard is found primarily in the US and Germany, but can be found in many other countries around the world due to migration. The surname is not particularly prevalent but is not uncommon. In the US today, the surname can be traced back to Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin.

The last name Engelhard is derived from the ancient German given name Engel, which means “angel” and hard, which means “hard”. Therefore, the surname is translated to “angel hard” or “strong angel”.

The origin of the Engelhard surname dates back to the 1500s and is a patronymic surname, meaning it was passed down from the father to his children. The family was known to be wealthy and owned substantial farming lands in Germany. The original Engelhard family lived in Bavaria and was widely spread throughout the countryside.

Gustave Engelhard was a notable personality with this last name, being the first to settle in America. He was a rayon manufacturer who founded the American Rayon Corporation, eventually selling the company in order to pursue his philanthropic interests. Nevertheless, the company was a success and laid the foundation for various other Rayon companies, which leads many people to recognize the name Engelhard.

Variations of the surname Engelhard

The surname Engelhard can be spelled in many ways and can be a part of many surname variations. Historically, the surname is of German origin with the root word, 'angel' or 'Engel'. It is commonly seen written in various forms with subtle alterations in spelling like Engelhardt, Englehardt, Angelhard, Engelhard, Engelhardt, Englehard, Engelshard, Engelshart and Engelhart.

The variations of the name with the prefix Enge- such as Engle and Engele are rooted in the words 'angle'. In times past, these often came to represent a messenger or an angel-like person. When found in place names, the name often stood for 'enclosed property'.

This surname is most common in Central and Northern Germany, followed by Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.Those with the name often had diverse nationalities and professions.It was once the name of a Jewish immigrant who had settled in Russia, Poland and Austria. In some instances, it may have been altered from its original form to resemble spellings of gent population, such as Engles, Angel, Angle, Angles, and Angels. Many variations of the name are found in both America and Europe.

Variations such as Engelhardt and Englehardt are seen in Germany. Forms like Angelhard appear in the US and Anglesh this is seen in France, among other places. In Latin American countries such as Colombia, the form of Engelhardt can also be seen.

The Engelhard surname is found most prominently in the countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Colombia and Russia. The variations in spelling are many, and its diversity in nationality is no less remarkable.

Famous people with the name Engelhard

• Claus-Michael Engelhard: German film producer, director, artist, and architect.
• Jonathan Engelhard: American environmental scientist and author of the award-winning book Ocean Acidification: A Review of the Science.
• Leonard Engelhard: 19th-century German architect who designed the city hall of Bremen.
• Frank J. Engelhard: American businessman, owner of the Engelhard Corporation, a chemical manufacturing company.
• Hans Schott Engelhard: German chemist and inventor of the regenerative furnace, an apparatus designed to reduce energy costs in the smelting process.
• Joe Engelhard: American film director, writer, and producer who created the films Journey of the Mouse, Bulldances, and 16 Arrows.
• Joseph B. Engelhard: American naval architect and engineer who wrote the book “The Power of the Steam Engine.”
• Karl-Heinz Engelhard: former German racing cyclist who won two bronze medals in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Johannes Engelhard: Norwegian sculptor and designer who created works such as the “Fjord Queen” monument in Sandefjord, Norway.
• Alfred Engelhard: German philosopher and writer who wrote the essays “Auf dem Weg zur Demokratie” and “Wir muessen die altsprachliche Freiheit pflegen”.

Other surnames

EngelhardtEngelhart