Surname Erlewein - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Erlewein: What does the surname Erlewein mean?
The last name Erlewein is a German surname of some antiquity. It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, and many variations of the name have been found throughout Bavaria and Thuringia. It is believed that some of the earliest bearers of the name derived their surname from the German word “erl” which means alder tree, and the term “wein”, which means vine. This suggests that the name may have been given to those who were related to alder trees and/or managed a vineyard, although this is uncertain.
The name Erlewein is also believed to be associated with the Erleau family, which was one of the oldest families in Thuringia. This suggests that the Erlewein surname may have originated from this particular family, although more evidence is needed to fully confirm this theory.
Since the Middle Ages, Erlewein has been quite a popular surname in Germany, though its obscurity in other countries such as those in the United Kingdom suggests that its prevalence has been limited. Further, it appears that the name is gradually losing popularity, especially in the United States which saw relatively few arrivals from Germany until the late 1800s.
In summary, Erlewein is likely an old German surname with possible connections to the Erleau family of Thuringia. It was quite widespread during the Middle Ages, but is not as common today.
Order DNA origin analysisErlewein: Where does the name Erlewein come from?
The last name Erlewein is most commonly found today in Germany and other countries in central Europe. The region has a long, rich history associated with the name that dates back to the late 1500s.
The name itself is a German cognate of the Old High German name Erlewih, which means "noble warrior" or "noble fighter." It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent mountain or hill, with the prefix Erle- ensuing from the High German word erl, which means "noble."
The Erlewein surname is still very common in Germany, its most prominent concentration of bearers being found in the Ruhr region of the country. It's also widely found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Smaller numbers of bearers of the name live in Luxembourg, Belgium, and even the United States.
Due to its topographic origin, the name is quite ancient. Records of the name date back to 1582, where the Duke of Saxe-Coburg was awarded lands by the Margrave of Brandenburg. The first recorded bearer of the name was Hans Erlewein, who lived in the region during the same period.
So, although the frequency of the name is now relatively low compared to some other more well-known surnames, the name Erlewein can still be found throughout central Europe and even in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Erlewein
The Erlewein surname has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Arleweijn, Erlewen, Erlewine, Erlewyne, Erlewyn, Erlywine, Harlewin, Arlewyn, Erleven, Earlewine, Arlewijn, Herlewijn, Earlewin, Herlwein, and Harlewen.
Erlewein is most likely of German origin and its root is likely associated with the element aral, which typically refers to an eagle. Alternately, it may be derived from the Old German words arl meaning army and wih meaning struggle.
Other variants of this surname include Erlewine, Erlywine, Erleven, and Erlewyn. These can all be derived from the Old German words erl meaning noble and win meaning friend, with the meanings ranging from “noble friend” to “noble warrior.”
The variant Erlwein can be derived from the German words arl meaning army and wih meaning struggle. This could mean “one who fights bravely in battle.”
The spelling Harlewin is derived from the Latin word hariolus meaning home guardian. This surname might refer to someone who has acted as a guardian and caretaker of the home.
The variant Herlwein is likely derived from the Middle High German words her meaning noble and wih meaning struggle. This could indicate a “noble struggle”.
In conclusion, the Erlewein surname has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Erlewine, Erlywine, Erleven, Erlewyn, Harlewin, Erlwein, Arlweijn, Harlewen, Earlewine, Herlewijn, and Herlwein. Each of these carries its own meaning related to its original root, indicating an interesting family name with a rich history.
Famous people with the name Erlewein
- Arthur Erlewein (1886–1964): German Actor
- Brigitte Erlewein (born 1950): German actress
- Marion Erlewein (1931–2017): German actress
- John Erlewein (1912–1995): American baseball player
- Phil Erlewein (1942–2018): American illustrator and painter
- William Erlewein (1912–1992): American football coach
- James Erlewein (died 1991): American judge 8. Marian Erlewein (1881–1964): German opera singer
- Reinhold Erlewein (1892–1974): German income tax official
- Ludwig Erlewein (active 18th century): German organist, composer, and music publisher
- Joe Erlewein (active 19th century): American gambler
- Karsten Erlewein (born 1955): German educator and politician
- Ole-Hermann Erlewein (born 1954): Norwegian Bishop
- Carl Erlewein (1850–1909): German archaeologist
- Robert Erlewein (1890–1954): German sea captain
- Jacob Erlewein (1913–1941): German soldier
- Werner Erlewein (1915–1944): German anti-fascist
- Marion Erlewein (born 1972): German author
- Ernst Erlewein (died 1998): German dentist
- Günter Erlewein (born 1932): German composer