Surname Elrod - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Unearthing Ancestral Roots: Surprising Revelations about My Surname Elrod from iGENEA DNA Test
An iGENEA DNA test I recently took has unlocked surprising revelations about my surname, Elrod. It has linked me to a mixed bag of European and Middle Eastern roots, weaving an exciting tapestry of my heritage.
E. Elrod
read moreElrod: What does the surname Elrod mean?
The surname Elrod is of German origin and is a variant of the name "Ellrodt." The name is believed to be toponymic, which means it is derived from the name of a place or geographic feature. The word "Ellrodt" itself is thought to come from Middle High German “elle” meaning 'alder' (a type of tree) and “rod” suggesting 'a cleared area’ or 'clearing'. Thus, the name likely denoted someone who lived in a clearing in a grove of alder trees or who cleared such a place. Like many surnames, Elrod would have been used to help distinguish between individuals with the same first name in the same locality. Over time, it would have become hereditary and used as a family name.
Order DNA origin analysisElrod: Where does the name Elrod come from?
The last name Elrod is of German origin. It originated from the old Germanic personal name "Alaric" which combines the elements "ala" meaning 'all' and "ric" meaning 'power', hence, implying "all powerful" or "ruler of all". The name underwent modifications across different regions and time periods, leading to various phonetic spellings such as Elrod, Elrodt, Ellrod, Ellrott, and others.
In terms of popularity today, the Elrod surname is predominantly found in the United States. According to data from Forebears, it is most common in the United States, ranking as the 2,476th most common surname with approximately 14,967 individuals bearing the name. Other countries where the Elrod surname can be found, but far less frequently, include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, among others. It is also worth noting that the states with the highest number of people with the Elrod surname in the U.S include Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.
Variations of the surname Elrod
The Elrod surname has some variations due to regional dialects, errors in translations or transcriptions over time, and possible anglicization. Variations or similar surnames can include Elrodt, Elrad, Ellrod, and Elrode.
Interestingly "Elrod" originates from Germany, evolved from the surname "Ehler", meaning honor, and "rod", possibly indicating a clearing or a notable place in a village. The name has thus evolved through Ehlerod, Elerod, to Elrod.
However, there are no widely accepted alternative spellings of the name. In terms of surnames with the same root, due to the patronymic naming tradition common in many European countries, it is possible that the surnames derived from “Ehler” such as Ehlers, Ehlerding, Ehlerman may have the same origin.
Remember, many different surnames can be transliterations of the same original name, and different branches of a family might end up with different surnames. It's also possible that a surname's spelling changed over time due to immigration or other factors. So, while the surnames listed here are related or similar to Elrod, they may not share the same origin.
Famous people with the name Elrod
- Robert Elrod: a renowned illustrator and graphic designer, known for his work in comics, games, and books.
- Ed Elrod: a famous voice actor who worked on various animations and video games.
- Hal Elrod: an American author, known for the bestseller "The Miracle Morning".
- John Eldred Elrod: a pastor and the 12th president of Wofford College in South Carolina.
- Adam Elrod: a singer-songwriter known for his country music career.
- Jake Elrod: a professional American footballer who played in the National Football League.
- Boardman Elrod: a popular American author.
- Richard Elrod: a Chicago-based politician who served as a state representative and sheriff.
- Kyle Elrod: an actor known for various film and TV works.
- Riley Elrod: a musician known for his work in the country music industry.