Last Name Ehrgott

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ehrgott

The meaning and origin of the last name Ehrgott

The surname Ehrgott is of German origin, derived from the Old High German elements "ehr" meaning "honor" or "reputation," and "gott" which translates to "God." This name would have originally been given as a nickname to someone who was highly esteemed or respected in their community, implying that they possessed qualities associated with God. Alternatively, it could have been used to describe an individual who was born during a period of peace or prosperity, symbolizing divine blessing. The surname Ehrgott first appeared in the region of Bavaria, Germany, and later spread across Europe and to other parts of the world as Germans emigrated. The name is relatively uncommon outside of Germany and German-speaking regions today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ehrgott

The surname Ehrgott is predominantly found in Germany, particularly in regions such as Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate, which are historically known for their high population density of Germanic tribes. The name also appears in Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the distribution of the Ehrgott surname is concentrated primarily in Pennsylvania and Ohio, areas with significant German-American populations as a result of immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. Smaller concentrations can be found in other parts of the country, particularly in states with industrial centers that attracted European immigrants, such as Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Globally, the Ehrgott surname can also be found in Australia, Canada, and South America, where German-speaking individuals emigrated during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ehrgott

The surname Ehrgott has various spellings and variations due to different transliteration practices over time and across regions. Here are some of its common variations: Ehrgot, Ehrgott, Eirgott, Ayrgott, Aehrogott, Aeergott, Aiurgott, and Aerggott. These variations stem from the original German name, which is derived from the Old High German "Eragoz" meaning "ear-grain" or "ear-seed". The spelling can also be influenced by regional dialects and migration patterns, leading to changes in pronunciation and subsequent alterations in the written form of the name.

Famous people with the last name Ehrgott

Notable individuals bearing the surname Ehrgott include:

1. Andreas Ehrgott: A German mathematician who is a professor at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn, Germany. His research interests lie in algebraic geometry and representation theory. He has made significant contributions to mirror symmetry.

2. Chris Ehrgott: An American musician, best known as the drummer of the indie rock band The Walkmen. He joined the band in 2000 and was a member until their disbandment in 2018.

3. Daniela Ehrgott: A German actress who gained fame for her roles in films like "The Experiment" and "The Wave". She has also appeared in several television series, including "Tatort" and "SOKO Leipzig".

4. Günter Ehrgott: A German mathematician known for his work in measure theory and functional analysis. He is a professor at the University of Cologne and a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

5. Ingo Ehrgott: A German theoretical physicist who specializes in string theory, quantum field theory, and gravity. He has worked at several institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Physics and the University of Chicago.

Genealogical research on the last name Ehrgott

The surname Ehrgott is of German origin, deriving from Middle High German "ergot" meaning 'ear' or 'grain spikelet,' implying a person who lived near a granary or was a farmer who produced a good crop of grain. The name first appeared in the 14th century, particularly in regions such as Bavaria and Swabia. Notable bearers of the Ehrgott name include Johannes Ehrgott, a German mathematician known for his work on algebraic number theory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Karl Ehrgott, an Austrian-born economist who made significant contributions to microeconomics. Genealogical records show that the name spread throughout Germany during the Middle Ages, and later immigrated to other European countries, as well as North America, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Ehrgott"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025