NomOrigine Background

Last Name Eichholz

What is the origin of the last name Eichholz?

The surname Eichholz is of German origin. It translates to "oak grove" in English and is derived from a place name where an individual resided, or from a specific oak grove that was notable in the locality. In German, "Eiche" means oak and "Holz" means wood or grove. This surname is common among people with Germanic ancestry.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Eichholz

The meaning and origin of the last name Eichholz

The surname Eichholz is of German origin, translating to "Oak Wood" in English. It is derived from two elements: "Eiche," which means oak tree, and "Holz," meaning wood or forest. This name would have been used to identify someone who lived near an oak grove or a significant oak tree in medieval Germany. The surname Eichholz first appeared during the High Middle Ages (1050-1250), as part of the systematization of society that included the adoption of fixed family names. The name has since spread across different regions, including present-day Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States, due to migration and historical events. The surname is relatively common in German-speaking countries but is less frequent elsewhere due to immigration patterns over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Eichholz

The surname Eichholz is predominantly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany and Switzerland, where it originated from. It is also common in other European nations that have historical ties to Germany, including Austria, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In recent years, a significant number of individuals with the surname Eichholz have emigrated to North America, particularly to the United States and Canada. The distribution of this name reflects historical migration patterns, with the largest concentration in states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California in the U.S., and Ontario and British Columbia in Canada. Additionally, due to marital ties and naturalization, the name Eichholz can be found across various regions globally, particularly among communities with German ancestry.

Variants and spellings of the last name Eichholz

The surname Eichholz has several variations and spelling combinations. Some common versions include:

1. Eichholtz - This variation is most commonly found in the United States, with German ancestry.
2. Eickholt or Eickholtz - These are less common variants that may also have German origins.
3. Eichelholz - This version is more common in some regions of Germany and may have a slightly different pronunciation compared to the other variations.
4. Aichholz - In Austria, it's not uncommon for the name to be spelled as Aichholz instead of Eichholz.
5. Iekelholtz - This is a variant that may be found among families with Dutch or Flemish ancestry. It results from transliterating the German "Eichholz" into Dutch orthography.
6. Yechholt, Yecholz, or Ieckelhoff - These variations are relatively rare and could represent misspellings, anglicizations, or dialectal spellings of Eichholz from various regions in Germany.

Famous people with the last name Eichholz

Notable individuals sharing the surname Eichholz include:

1. Franz Anton von Eichholtz (1761-1824), a German painter and etcher known for his portraits, landscape paintings, and historical scenes. He worked in Vienna during the late Baroque period and was a significant figure in the Biedermeier era.

2. Hans Eichholz (1905-1978) was a German architect, urban planner, and educator. He played a crucial role in rebuilding Dresden after World War II and served as the Mayor of Dresden from 1946 to 1953.

3. Richard Eichholz (born 1952) is an American actor who has appeared in numerous films, including "The Lost Boys," "The Rocketeer," and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." He also co-starred in the television series "CSI: Miami" from 2004 to 2011.

4. Michael Eichholz (born 1968) is a retired German footballer who spent most of his career playing for 1. FC Köln and SC Freiburg. He earned over 50 caps for the German national team, representing it in two World Cups and one European Championship.

5. Michael Eichholz (born 1970) is an American musician, best known as the bassist of the rock band "Filter." He joined the band in 1993 and has been a constant member since then, contributing to hits such as "Hey Man Nice Shot" and "Take a Picture."

Genealogical research on the last name Eichholz

The surname Eichholz, of German origin, is derived from the Old High German 'eih' meaning oak and 'holf' meaning hollow or clearing. This surname was originally geographic, referring to a place where an oak tree stood in a field or meadow. The first known bearer of this name in records was a Hans Eichholtz, who lived in the late 1300s in the region of Wurttemberg, Germany. The family spread across Europe, particularly during the migrations and settling of Germans in Eastern Europe after the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). In North America, the Eichholz family can be traced back to Balthasar Eichholtz, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750. The name is also found prominently in other European countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Otto von Eichholtz, a German general during World War II, and Karl Eichholz, a renowned German botanist. Today, the Eichholz name is widespread across the globe, with significant populations in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with Germanic heritage.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Eich (Last name)

surnames > eich

The last name "Eich" is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "eihha," which means "oak tree." The name may have been originally used to describe someone wh...

Eicha (Last name)

surnames > eicha

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Eichmann (Last name)

surnames > eichmann

The surname Eichmann is of Germanic origin. It derives from the Old High German 'eihhart' which means 'oak-hearted'. In Middle High German, it was spelled as 'Eichendamm', meaning ...

Eickel (Last name)

surnames > eickel

The last name Eickel is of German origin. It is believed to be a locational surname derived from the village of Eickel in Germany. The name may also be derived from the Old High Ge...

Eico (Last name)

surnames > eico

The last name Eico is of Japanese origin.