Surname Eichorn - Meaning and Origin
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Eichorn: What does the surname Eichorn mean?
The last name Eichorn is an uncommon German surname derived from the Middle High German words ich - meaning “I” and horn meditatively referencing a ‘horn’ in the heraldic sense. This creates an imagery of a potent figure seen in the ancient Germanic hunting culture where the hunting horn symbolized a single individual’s prowess in the wilderness. Moreover, in medieval times, the hunter was esteemed in the culture and would freely pass through others' borders, dependent on the blare of his horn. This legacy of independence is a defining quality of those with the last name Eichorn.
Another interpretation of the name rests in the sense of faithfulness and constancy. This was particularly stressing in middle-age German culture when fidelity to a single master was expected of the majority of laborers. People with the surname Eichorn can take immense pride that the name reflects steadfastness, dependability and fortitude.
The German language gives an interesting linguistic context to the name Eichorn; it can also be translated to mean ‘God of Horns’ when understood through the lens of Old Norse mythology. Grammatically the name signifies a profound veneration of the deity—the sounding of the horns signifies the mythical realm and deities who forged their power in the robustness of nature.
Eichorn encapsulates an image of power, faithfulness and of that of Norse legend, a name which carries with it a long legacy of stability, dependability and reverence for the world which gave birth to such a distinct family name.
Order DNA origin analysisEichorn: Where does the name Eichorn come from?
The last name Eichorn is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In the United States, the surname is most prominent in the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In Canada, it is most commonly found in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. In Germany, the last name is most common in Bavaria, with the largest concentration of the surname in the area around Nuremberg.
The surname has Germanic origins and is derived from the element "Ahorn", meaning "Maple." Early records show that it was often used as a nickname for someone with strong limbs, or for a hunter.
In the United States, the last name Eichorn is fairly common among individuals with German ancestry. In Germany, the name is fairly rare, suggesting that many of those bearing the name migrated to the United States postWW II. Today, the surname is most common in the Midwestern region of the United States.
The surname is also found in other parts of the world including Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. There are also a few individuals bearing the Eichorn family name in The Dominican Republic.
Altogether, the global population of Eichorn is estimated to be several thousand individuals. The majority of the individuals bearing the name are based in the United States.
Variations of the surname Eichorn
Eichorn is a German and Jewish surname that originates from the Middle High German word ‘eichen’ meaning ‘oak’. The variants of this surname include Achorn, Eckhorn, Ekern, Ekern, Eiken, Eichelhorn, Aikhorn, Aichern, Eichenhorn, Ehren, Aicher, Aikeren, Ehrecke, Ockhorn, Ocken, Eickhorn, Ecken, Oeecken, Eichner, Eckel, Ehlhorn, and Aichner.
The variations in spelling of the surname Eichorn can be attributed to different languages—most commonly English and German—as well as to different dialects within each language. For example, Germans commonly use the spelling Ekern when writing the surname, but Americans frequently spell it ‘Eichorn’. The spelling Ocken is also used in some German-speaking areas, while the spelling ‘Ehren’ is sometimes seen in English-speaking areas.
Some other surnames have a similar origin or are derived from similar elements, although they are not necessarily related to Eichorn. These include the surnames Eichenberg, Eichholz, Eichmann, Eichler, Eichelberger, Eichelman, and Eickmeier.
In addition to its various spellings and variations, Eichorn is also part of a larger group of surnames known as “patronymics” derived from the given name of one’s ancestor—in this case, the word “Eich”. Patronymic surnames are common in German-speaking countries and include forms such as Eichenhauer (son of Eich), Eichinger (son of Eich), and Eichmüller (son of Eich).
Famous people with the name Eichorn
- John Eichorn: Professional Golfer known for playing in the 1967 PGA Tour.
- Mark Eichorn: Former professional baseball player who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox.
- Heather Eichorn: Singer-Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Sam Eichorn: Scientist, engineer, and inventor. He developed the TeleTape III program, which allowed computers to communicate with external devices.
- Gilbert Eichorn: Composer, conductor, and producer.
- Robert Eichorn: German composer and conductor.
- Oliver Eichhorn: German classical guitarist and composer.
- Steve Eichorn: American professional golfer and former PGA Tour winner.
- Rich Eichhorn: American football executive.
- Ed Eichorn: One of the original innovators of the game of paintball.