Surname Engbrecht - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Engbrecht: What does the surname Engbrecht mean?
The last name Engbrecht is of German origin and is derived from the Old German given name Engelbrecht, which means “angel bright” or “bright angel”. This Old German combination of words is composed of two elements; Engel meaning “angel” and brecht meaning “brilliance” or “brightness”.
The family name Engbrecht is estimated to have first appeared in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is linked to a variety of different regions and places in Germany, including Breckenheim in the state of Hesse and Engershausen in the Allgäu region of Bavaria.
The geographical distribution of this surname is heavily concentrated in Germany, with many of its bearers being found in western Germany and the Rheinland-Pfalz. It is also present in other countries across Europe such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Throughout its history, the Engbrecht family name has been associated with a variety of occupations, including merchants, farmers, butchers, bakers, and miners. More recent generations of Engbrechts have gone on to become politicians, engineers, musicians, writers, as well as successful businessmen and entrepreneurs.
The Engbrecht family continues to venerate its German heritage and many of its members are very proud of their cultural traditions and identity. They are known for their strong work ethic, perseverance, and determination, as well as their liberal values.
Order DNA origin analysisEngbrecht: Where does the name Engbrecht come from?
The last name Engbrecht is a German surname that is still common today in countries of German heritage. This name can be found primarily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It can also be seen in other countries around Europe such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Russia and Slovakia. Additionally, it is found in the U.S. and Canada due to German immigrants who brought the name with them when they settled in North America.
The origin of Engbrecht is derived from the German name “Engelbert” which is a combination of two words; Engel, which means “angel” and “berht” which means “bright” together forming “angel-bright” or “angelic brightness”. Therefore, people with this surname likely derived from those who believed in heavenly protection and were associated with Christian values.
Engbrecht is still relatively common today around generations of families who have retained it. A search of the U.S. census alone shows there to be around 3,500 people with the last name Engbrecht in the country, primarily originating from the Midwestern states of Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.
Variations of the surname Engbrecht
The surname Engbrecht is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German compound 'ingbreht'. The surname may also appear in English records as Engbrecht, Angbrecht, Ingbrecht, Ingbrech, Anbret, Engbretson, Engbretsen, Engbret, Angbret, Anbrechts, Ingbrechts, and Engbrect.
The surname Engbrecht is an occupational name, referring to someone who was an innkeeper. It is also used as a patronymic surname, meaning 'son of the innkeeper'. The Middle High German 'ing-breht' means a brewhouse, tavernhouse, or innkeeper.
Variants and spellings of Engbrecht include Engbrecht, Angbrecht, Ingbrecht, Engbretson, Engbretsen and Ingbrechts. It is common for the surname to be found in a variety of different spellings and versions throughout the ages, as scribes and church officials often wrote a person's name as they spoke it.
Surnames that are closely related in spelling to Engbrecht include Engbrect and Anbrechts. However, no definite connection has been established between these surnames.
The surname Engbrecht is found in all German-speaking countries, but it is most common in the Netherlands and Germany. This surname is also found in the United States, usually among people of German descent. As a result, some variations of Engbrecht have started appearing in the US, such as Ingbrecht and Angbrecht.
Famous people with the name Engbrecht
- Miceala Engbrecht: an Australian professional triathlete specialising in long distance races.
- Lars Engbrecht: a German football referee who officiated for over 10 years in the Bundesliga, the highest tier of German football.
- Jeffrey Engbrecht: a successful American entrepreneur and business consultant.
- Chris Engbrecht: a renowned professional skateboarder and skate park designer.
- Steve Engbrecht: a multiple award-winning American musician and music producer.
- Andrew Engbrecht: a former Australian professional cyclist, racing in both road and mountain biking disciplines.
- Marc Engbrecht: a senior American diplomat and former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research.
- Lindsay Engbrecht: an American track and field athlete, specialising in long-distance running.
- Ben Engbrecht: a British actor, best known for his roles in the British TV series "Monarch of the Glen" and "Skins".
- Nikki Engbrecht: an American stage and screen actor, best known for her role in the musical theatre production “Mamma Mia”.