Surname Olbrecht - Meaning and Origin

Olbrecht: What does the surname Olbrecht mean?

The last name Olbrecht is of German and Swiss origin. It is derived from the German word ‘albrecht’, meaning ‘noble’ or 'famous’. It was originally a surname of nobility, used as a title for a ruler or leader who was exceptionally brave or strong.

The first record of the name in Germany can be traced to the 12th century, when the name was given to the first ruler of the House of Welf (also known as the Guelph dynasty). As the name passed down through the generations, it was typically used to refer to persons with noble rank and the power to rule.

In modern times, the surname Olbrecht can be used to refer to any number of people – from those who carry on the tradition of the original noble family, to those who carry its name without being related to the original ruling family.

Regardless of its origin, the name Olbrecht still retains a sense of nobility and distinction. It describes a bravery or strength of leadership which has been passed down through generations, echoing its proud and noble past.

Olbrecht: Where does the name Olbrecht come from?

The last name Olbrecht is primarily associated with Germany and the German speaking countries of Switzerland and Austria. According to the Society of Human Genetics, Olbrecht is not a particularly common surname worldwide; however, in Germany it is estimated to be a medium frequency surname. As a result, it is likely to be most common in Germany, with the majority of those bearing Olbrecht as a surname likely to be of German ethnic origin or descendant of German immigrants.

In contemporary Germany, Olbrecht is mainly found in the southern states, such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and near the boarder of Austria. It may also be found in northeastern Bavaria near the border of Thuringia, an area that was historically settled heavily by descendants of medieval Germanic tribes.

Outside of Germany, Olbrecht may also be found in other countries where German immigration has occurred. This could include areas of the United States, in countries of Latin America, and in other parts of Europe, particularly Austria and Switzerland. It also may be found in South Africa, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world where German immigration has taken take place.

Generally speaking, Olbrecht is likely to be found most frequently in German speaking regions, followed by other countries and regions that have experienced significant German immigration.

Variations of the surname Olbrecht

The surname Olbrecht has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Variations of Olbrecht: Ölbrecht, Oelbrecht, Oelbert, Albrecht, Halbrecht, Allbrecht, Albert and Alberts.

Olbrecht is derived from the German first name Albert, which is derived from the old German name Adalbrecht, which was derived from the words ‘adal’ which means ‘noble’ and ‘berht’ which means ‘bright’ or ‘illustrious’.

Other surnames of the same origin include Albrecht, Albertsen, Albertson, Albertini, Alberty, Albracht, Albrechtsen, Albrechtsohn, Albrechtsson, Albertz, Ealberts, Halbrecht, Halbert, Halberstadt, Halbertstatter, Halbritter, Olberding, Olbrecht, Olbrechts, Olbrechtse, Olbrechtsen, Olbrechtson, Olbrechtsson, Ulberts, Ulbrecht, Ulbrechts and Ulbrechtsen.

Many of these surnames were found primarily in the region of Germany, often stemming from a long-standing family name. Other variations of the surname are more common in Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, and Scandinavia. As one can conclude from these spellings, the surname has generally been adopted in its original form in many countries and regions, including the United States.

Overall, the surname Olbrecht is believed to have derived from a combination of the words adal, which means ‘noble’, and berht, which means ‘bright’ or ‘illustrious’. As such, it is suggested that the first name Albert is derived from the old German name Adalbrecht and is a combination of both words.

Famous people with the name Olbrecht

• Sandra Olbrecht: Former Miss Universe of head of Germany's national beauty pageants.
• Miko Olbrecht: Estonian-born basketball player who played in the EuroLeague.
• Stephan Olbrecht: International Ice Hockey Federation Director of Coaching Education.
• Günter Olbrecht: German composer.
• Hans-Joachim Olbrecht: German lawyer and Professor of Public Law at the University of Göttingen.
• Mathias Olbrecht: German international footballer.
• Christine Olbrecht: Austrian cross-country skier who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics.
• Jörg Olbrecht: Former racing cyclist and cyclist.
• Christoph Olbrecht: German citizen who was detained under the United States’ extraordinary rendition programme during the War on Terror.
• Robert Olbrecht: German politician of the Christian Democratic Union.

Other surnames

OlbrechOlbrechts