Surname Ellerbrook - Meaning and Origin
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Ellerbrook: What does the surname Ellerbrook mean?
The last name ‘Ellerbrook’ is derived from a combination of two Anglo-Saxon Old English words, 'ellor' meaning 'alder tree' and 'broc', meaning 'brook'. It is believed that this surname was used to indicate those who lived near a brook running through a grove of alder trees. Subsequently, it may have been used to refer to individuals whose occupations were associated with the areas near these trees and water.
In the early Middle Ages, the vast majority of the population derived their last names from a variety of sources, including geographical landmarks, profession, and patronyms (inherited family names). ‘Ellerbrook’ could have become associated with numerous trades that would have corresponded with the local landscape, which could have included charcoal burning, farming, and a variety of trades that relied upon items that came from alder trees.
At the end of the nineteenth century, many emigrants of the Ellerbrook name left the shores of England and Wales in search of new and better lives in the American colonies. Today, descendants of this surname are found throughout the United States, Canada, and England. No matter where one founds a descendants of this surname, the origin and history of Ellerbrook is likely to be a topic of interest.
Order DNA origin analysisEllerbrook: Where does the name Ellerbrook come from?
The surname Ellerbrook is most common in the United Kingdom, where it was first found in the Yorkshire region in the early 11th century. Today, the surname is most commonly found in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Ellerbrooks are thought to have descended from a Norse Viking family, as the name is composed of two Norse elements. The first element, “Eller”, is derived from the Old Norse “elir” which means “swan” or “lake”. The second element, “brook”, is derived from the Old English word “broc”, meaning “stream” or “brook”.
Ellerbrooks are most clustered in the northeast of England, particularly in the counties of Durham, Northumberland, and Lancashire. There is also a clustering in the South West, particularly in Wiltshire, Somerset, and Devon. The surname is the 320th most common surname in England, with its highest percentage in South Gloucestershire, where it's the 57th most common surname.
The Ellerbrooks in the United States can largely trace their roots back to these same English, Irish, and Scottish settlers who immigrated during the colonial period. They are most common in the north-eastern states such as New York and Massachusetts.
Overall, the surname has spread significantly since the 11th century, ensuring that Ellerbrooks can be found around the world, from England to Australia, the United States, and beyond.
Variations of the surname Ellerbrook
Ellerbrook is a surname of English origin. It is a locational name derived from the town of Ellersbrook in the county of Derbyshire. Variants of this surname include Ellersbrook, Ellerbrock, Ellarbrook, Ellabooke, Ellerbooke, Ellarbrooke, Ellberg and Elberg.
The English surname Ellersbrook is believed to have derived from the Old English words ‘eald’, meaning old, and ‘broc’, meaning stream. This is indicative of the fact that the town from which the name originates lies near an old stream or brook.
The earliest known record of the name was in 1206, when Thomas de Ellersbroc was mentioned in the Chartier Rolls of Derbyshire. The register entry of the name in 1524 noted a man named John Ellerbrooke as living in Leicestershire. It is believed that the Ellerbrook family was one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon clans to settle in this part of the country.
Over the centuries, members of this family have become scattered across several countries including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The variant spellings of this name are a testament to the fact that in former times, during its introduction to different countries and different language groups, the spelling of the name was altered according to the regional accent and dialect of the area.
In spite of its many different spellings, all present day variants of the surname Ellerbrook have come from the same original source. The many variations of this surname all originate from a single family several centuries ago.
Famous people with the name Ellerbrook
- Graham Ellerbrook: British actor who has appeared in many TV series and films.
- Dan Ellerbrook: British playwright and theatre director.
- Shelley Ellerbrook: American artist known for her incredible abstract media works.
- Phillip Ellerbrook: British artist who focuses on figurative paintings exploring everyday life and family dynamics.
- Corinne Ellerbrook: Professional triathlete who has won multiple long and short distance races.
- Mark Ellerbrook: British chef and restaurateur who owns and operates two restaurants in Hampshire, England.
- David Ellerbrook: English football player who has earned caps for the U17 and U20 national teams.
- Paul Ellerbrook- British musician, composer and music producer who has composed scores for many films and television programs.
- Robert Ellerbrook: American politician who served as a representative in the United States House of Representatives for five terms.
- Sigrid Ellerbrook: Swedish actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows.