Surname Elkenhans - Meaning and Origin
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Elkenhans: What does the surname Elkenhans mean?
The last name Elkenhans is of German origin and is derived from the words 'elker', meaning “alder”, and 'hansel', meaning “lord.” As a result, the Elkenhans surname translates literally to “lord of the alder.”
The Elkenhans surname is thought to be quite ancient. It is believed to have originated in the Germanic regions of Europe, most likely in the mid-1300s. This surname is most common in the Hesse-Nassau area of Germany, and German-Americans took the Elkenhans surname to the U.S. after immigrating in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Elkenhans is a patronymic surname, which means the surname has descended to the current generation from an ancient family member. The character of a person with this surname is seen in the old German phrase, “Frau Elke Hansel,” which translates to “true and strong.” As such, Elkenhans is often given to people who are determined, reliable and have an unwavering will.
As a result, the surname Elkenhans is an expression of the hardy Germanic ancestry and a testament to the strong willed character of those who have held it. It is an evocative name that carries with it a deep cultural and personal legacy, and will continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisElkenhans: Where does the name Elkenhans come from?
The last name Elkenhans is mostly found in Germany and the United States today. In the German language, "Elkenhans" translates to "oak tree", and this surname is often associated with German regions such as Schleswig-Holstein, where the last name originated. In the United States, Elkenhans is concentrated in the Midwest and the Great Plains region, particularly in Illinois, Ohio, and Missouri.
In Illinois, Elkenhans is most common in the towns of Kinmundy, Waterloo, and Valmeyer, all located in the southern part of the state. It's similarly common in Ohio, with concentrations of Elkenhans families in the cities of Westerville, Cuyahoga Falls, and Euclid. The last name is also found in smaller towns such as Wapakoneta, Bellefontaine, Urbana, and Yorkville.
In Missouri, Elkenhans families are found primarily in the cities of St Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Independence. Additionally, smaller towns in the southeastern part of the state, such as Darlington, Golden City, Kimmswick, and Marble Hill, also boast Elkenhans populations.
Elkenhans is still relatively common in Germany, with the highest concentration in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. Additionally, the town of Groitzsch in Saxony is home to a large community of Elkenhans families.
In summary, the last name Elkenhans is most prominently found in Germany, the United States, and other countries with German populations. In the United States, the last name is concentrated in the Midwest and the Great Plains region, particularly in Illinois, Ohio, and Missouri.
Variations of the surname Elkenhans
Elkenhans is a German surname with multiple variant spellings on various documents and records throughout history. Other variations include Elkenhaus, Elkenhausen, Elkenhansz, Elkehans, Elkenhansen, Elkhausen, and Elkensan. All variants can be traced back to the same origins.
Elkenhans, as well as all of its variants, is derived from the Middle High German Elgenhans, which means “elk-head” or “deer-head”. This surname grew out of the medieval practice of naming individuals based on their nickname or physical traits.
In the Netherlands, the equivalent of Elkenhans is Elenbaas and in Denmark, the equivalent is Elgenhaus. In Belgium, the surname is written as Eletmans. In North America, such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Elkenhans surname has become Elkin. It is also possible for the surname to develop sound-alike spellings, such as Walter, Works, and Hourn, or other closely related surnames, such as Elkens, Elkhans, and Elkin.
The Elkenhans surname is not common but has its presence in many countries around the world. It is most popular in Germany, where it originated, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. In the United States, Elkenhans and its variants can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.
Overall, Elkenhans is an old and widely variant surname that can be found throughout Europe and in some regions of the United States. Its variants are mostly derived from Middle High German and are found in various documentations.
Famous people with the name Elkenhans
- Philip Elkenhans, a cinematographer for films such as The Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Lego Batman Movie.
- Julius Elkenhans, a German lawyer and a member of the German Federal Court.
- Heinrich Elkenhans, a German operatic tenor who performed at the Bayreuth Festival and other major opera houses.
- Robert Elkenhans, a German Olympic fencer who won bronze medals at the 1936 Olympics and 1934 featuring in the sabre events.
- Erwin Elkenhans, a German film producer who has contributed to over 200 cinema works and is particularly known for the production of several popular and critically acclaimed Paul Verhoeven films.
- Uwe Elkenhans, a German lawyer and advocate for data privacy and digital transformation.
- Wolfgang Elkenhans, a German lawyer who works in both the public and private sectors focusing on public economic law.
- Dr. Gerhard Elkenhans, a German-American physicist and mathematician best known for his contributions to quantum mechanics and laser optics.
- Jürgen Elkenhans, a German entrepreneur who was the founder and CEO of a software development company.
- Karl Elkenhans, a German professional football player who was a member of the national team in the early 1960s.