Surname Ulbert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'U'
Ulbert: What does the surname Ulbert mean?
The surname Ulbert is of German origin, and it is derived from the name "Ulfberht," which comes from the Old German language. It is composed of two elements, the personal name "Ulf" and "berht," meaning "illustrious and bright." The name ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic "wulf," meaning "wolf," and "berht," meaning "shining."
The first recorded instance of this surname dates back to the 11th century in Bavaria, with a family called "Uilpertus de Lohritzen." It is believed to have spread throughout Europe over time, as records in both Switzerland and England have been found indicating a family with the name had resided in those places.
The Ulbert surname is still in use today, and people bearing it are primarily concentrated in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. While some holders of the Ulbert name have embraced their heritage, others have taken on a more Anglicized version of the name, such as "Wulbert" or "Wilbert."
The surname Ulbert is associated with nobility and power, as the name was once associated with powerful Germanic kings and lords. It has also grown to be associated with perseverance, strength, and loyalty since its inception, as it was passed down through generations of influential and successful families. The Ulbert name continues to be used today, often signifying these attributes.
Order DNA origin analysisUlbert: Where does the name Ulbert come from?
The surname Ulbert is primarily found in Central European nations such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name Ulbert is of German or Dutch origin. It was common for families to use the suffix "-bert" to the end of their first name to create their last name, so it is possible that Ulbert is derived from an old given name.
The earliest recorded document of the name originates in the Middle Ages when a Ulbertus Pothar is mentioned in a 13rippen on 1341 in Dortmund. It is likely that the family originated from North Rhine – Westphalia, in the east of present-day Germany.
In modern times, Ulbert is still a popular surname. According to WorldNames Population Statistics, Ulbert is the 119,155th most common name in the world; it was recorded 7,224 times between 1880 and 2020. Most of the bearers of this name are found in Germany, where it is the 5,133th most common surname with 3,360 occurrences recorded between 1880 and 2020.
Overall, the Ulbert family name is mainly associated with Germany, although smaller numbers of individuals may be found in central Europe too.
Variations of the surname Ulbert
The Ulbert surname is derived from the ancient Germanic given name, Ulfhard. This name translates into English as “wolf strength” or “wolf-hardy”. There are a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, including: Ulffert, Ulfert, Ulferd, Ulford, Ulferts, and Ulfordt.
The Ulbert surname is commonly believed to have come from northern Germany and it is still found there today. It is possible that the original bearer of the Ulbert surname was a strong warrior and hunter, likely symbolic of the wolf in Germanic symbolism.
Other variants and surnames of the same origin include the Old German name of Ulfhardor, derived from the Old High German language. This surname is found specifically in Austria, and it corresponds with the surname Ulfard. The related name Ulfredes is a German variant, derived from the Old German Ulfred.
The Dutch and Flemish variant of the Ulbert surname is Ulfers. This is a patronymic name, meaning “son of Ulferts” and “son of Ulfers”. The Dutch surname Ulfers may have also been anglicized to Ulfers or Ulpers.
The Scandinavian variants of the Ulbert/Ulfhard name include the Swedish names Ulfaert and Ulfert, and the Danish variants Ulfte and Ulfert.
Variants of the Ulbert surname are still found throughout Europe and the United States today, and can be identified through genealogical research. These variants and surnames may be used as clues to trace an ancestor’s origin and give further insight into the family history.
Famous people with the name Ulbert
- Walter Ulbert (1863-1929), Austrian priest, theologian, and professor
- Theo Ulbert (1886-1962), Dutch sculptor
- Daniel Ulbert (1810-1864), German physician and entrepreneur
- Rudy Ulbert (born 1932), German cycling champion
- Carl Ulbert (1886-1929), German chemist
- Alfred Ulbert (1866-1940), German educational theorist
- Bill Ulbert (born 1940), American football running back
- Wolf Ulbert (born 1951), Swiss curler
- Elly Ulbert (born 1953), Dutch rower
- Martin Ulbert (born 1975), Swiss athlete
- Philipp Ulbert (1815-1887), German writer and poet