Surname Elsässer - Meaning and Origin
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Elsässer: What does the surname Elsässer mean?
The surname Elsässer is a German locational surname which traditionally refers to a person who was from an area of Germany called Alsace, which is now a region of France on the border with Germany. It derives from the German word ‘el’, which means ‘at the’, indicating that the surname originates from somewhere starting ‘at the...’. The term 'Elsass' was historically associated with the region now known as Alsace and was historically part of Germany until 1919 when it became part of French territory.
The term Elsässer may have also been adopted by non-natives of Alsace for a variety of reasons. It was not uncommon for people from other parts of Europe to take on the name of the region they used to move to so that members of their extended family could easily recognize their new place of residence. The term could also have been adopted by travelers, refugees and political exiles to represent their region of origin.
Today, there are numerous variations of the Elsässer surname, often due to spelling variations. Some of the more common variations include Elsasser, Elsasser,Elsasser,Elsäser and Elsasen. However, regardless of the spelling, all Elsässer surnames derive from the same root and refer to a person from the Alsace region.
Order DNA origin analysisElsässer: Where does the name Elsässer come from?
The surname Elsässer is most common in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It also has a presence in other German regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Bavaria, as well as in Switzerland, Austria, and the US.
Originally derived from the name of the Alsace, or Elsass in German, region in northeastern France, Elsässer is a Germanized version of the original name. Historically, the Alsace was for many centuries part of the Holy Roman Empire and, during its long history, it was influenced by the surrounding cultures of the French, Swiss, and German regions. Throughout this period, numerous families from the region traveled across Europe to settle elsewhere, adopting their new local language and adopting new surnames in the process.
Modern day Elsässer populations can be traced back to this period of migration. Most Elsässers today live in Germany, alongside a smaller population in Switzerland and Austria. The largest concentrations are found in and around the cities of Stuttgart and Mannheim in Germany, with a slightly smaller population in the southwestern province of Baden-Württemberg.
The Elsässer surname is also popular in the United States, where many immigrants of German descent adopted the name. Among the most well-known Americans to bear the Elsässer name is the late U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, Henry Elsasser.
Variations of the surname Elsässer
The surname Elsässer is derived from the Alsace region of France, which was historically part of the Holy Roman Empire. This area has been conquered by various oppressors, including France and Germany, throughout its history, giving the family name various spellings and regional variation. The most common spelling of the name Elsässer is Elsasser. Other variants of the name include Alsace, Elsser, Elsner, Elsass, Alsass and Elsasse. Similarly, some families have adapted their surname spelling to fit their local language and orthography, resulting in variations such as Alsace, Elsser, Elssner, Elsser and Elssasse.
In addition to regional variations of the surname, Elsässer has also acquired a variety of surnames derived from it. The most common of these include Elsner, Elsamer, Elselen, Alsinger and Ellsässer. Additionally, some variants of the name have become Anglicized to form new surnames, such as Elsasser, Alssasse, Elsose or Alster.
In summary, the surname Elsässer has diverse variants and spellings, stemming from its origin in Alsace, and the various cultural, linguistic and orthographic influences over the centuries. Many of these spellings have become new surnames in their own right, and some have been Anglicized into different forms, such as Elsose or Alster. Regardless of their individual spelling, these families all share the same roots in the Alsace region of France.
Famous people with the name Elsässer
- Vincent Elsässer: German footballeur
- Christine Elsässer: German figure skater
- Hajo Elsässer: German film director
- Paul Elsässer: German cardinal of the Catholic Church
- Eddie Elsässer: Dutch comedian
- Franz Leopold Elsässer: German musicologist and theorist
- Arnold Elsässer: German professor of medicine
- Konrad Elsässer: German botanist
- Timo Elsässer: German actor
- Eugen Elsässer: German socialist politician and author