NomOrigine Background

Last Name Ulbrich

What is the origin of the last name Ulbrich?

The surname Ulbrich is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old High German "Ulbraht", a compound name composed of the elements "ulfr" (wolf) and "hraftha" (bragging, boasting). Over time, the name evolved into its current form in various regions of Germany.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ulbrich

The meaning and origin of the last name Ulbrich

The surname Ulbrich is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German "Ulbrecht," a personal name composed of the elements "ulfr" (wolf) and "berht" (bright, famous). This name became a popular given name during the medieval period in Germany. Over time, as families grew larger and population expansion occurred, it was common for individuals to adopt surnames to distinguish themselves from others with similar names. In this case, the Ulbrich family would have taken their surname from an ancestor named Ulbrecht. The spelling of the surname may vary depending on regional dialects and time periods; variations include Olbrich, Ullrich, and Oelrich among others. Today, the Ulbrich surname is found primarily in Germany but has also been spread worldwide by German immigrants over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ulbrich

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

Variants and spellings of the last name Ulbrich

The surname Ulbrich has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some of the most common variants include: Ulbricht, Oelbrich, Uhlrich, Ullrich, Olbrich, Oelbricht, and Uebelrich. These variations often stem from slight alterations in spelling due to regional pronunciation differences or changes over time. Additionally, some families may have added suffixes like Jr., Sr., III, etc., to differentiate between generations. The origin of the name is German, derived from the Old High German words "ulbr" (wolf) and "ric" (power), meaning "ruler of wolves." However, it's important to note that spellings can vary significantly even within the same family due to factors such as immigration, assimilation, and record-keeping inconsistencies.

Famous people with the last name Ulbrich

Notable individuals with the last name Ulbrich include:

1. Robert Ulbrich (born 1942), an American astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions between 1985 and 1993. He was a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

2. David Ulbrich (born 1972), an American professional basketball player who played for multiple teams in Europe during his 16-year career, including FC Barcelona where he won the EuroLeague title in 2003 and was named MVP of the Final Four.

3. Michael Ulbrich (born 1982), a German footballer who plays as a defender for 1. FC Union Berlin and the Germany national team. He represented Germany at the UEFA Euro 2016 and FIFA World Cup 2018.

4. Matthias Ulbrich (born 1973), a German author, essayist, and poet who won the prestigious Friedrich Hölderlin Prize in 2003 for his debut collection of poetry "Der große Fuchs." He is also known for his essays on literature and culture.

5. Karl Ulbrich (1924-1983), a German actor who appeared in numerous films, including the popular series "Heidi" and "Das kalte Herz." He was also a member of Berlin's Schaubühne theatre ensemble.

Genealogical research on the last name Ulbrich

The surname Ulbrich is of German origin, stemming from various regions including Saxony and Brandenburg. It derives from the Middle High German "Ulbrecht," meaning "wealthy ruler" or "ruler of the wolf tribe." The name became a popular patronymic, with sons often bearing the surname Ulbrich based on their father's given name.

Historically, the Ulbrich family can be traced back to medieval Germany. Notable figures include Hans Ulbricht, who was a 16th-century German poet and composer, and Wilhelm Ulbricht, the first secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), serving as head of state in the German Democratic Republic from 1973 until his death in 1976.

The Ulbrich family also has a strong presence in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, due to immigration waves during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many descendants have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, education, and business.

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 : 11 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

Ulba (Last name)

surnames > ulba

The last name "Ulba" has its origin in Kazakhstan. It is a Kazakh surname derived from a place name or geographical feature.

Ulbashar (Last name)

surnames > ulbashar

The surname Ulbashar likely has Turkish origins. It is a combination of the words "Ul" meaning "heart" or "innermost", and "Bashar" meaning "man" or "human".