Erasmus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Denmark
Germany

The distinguished German surname Erasmus is derived from the Greek term "erasmos," meaning "loved," and was initially used as a personal name. It was most likely originally borne as a surname by the son of someone named Erasmus or a variation of it.

Early Origins of the Erasmus family

The surname Erasmus was first found in Hessen, where the name was closely identified in the early period of history with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout Europe. The name was first seated in Frankfort from about the 14th century, and would later emerge as an influential noble family, having many distinguished branches, and well known for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Erasmus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Erasmus research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1466, 1536 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Erasmus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Erasmus Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rasmusson, Rasmus, Asmus, Eras, Rasem, Asam, Asum, Rassmann, Assmann, Raes, Raskin, Rasmussen, Asmussen, Asmusson, Erasmi, Erasmus, Ausmus, Assman and many more.

Early Notables of the Erasmus family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Erasmus were

Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), a famous priest, writer, professor, and humanitarian from in the Netherlands, Franz Assmann (c.1722), a well-known German painter, as well as the Rasmusson family of He...

Erasmus Ranking

In South Africa, the name Erasmus is the 78^th most popular surname with an estimated 60,680 people with that name. 1

Erasmus migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Erasmus Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Julius Erasmus, who was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1877
Willem Erasmus, aged 26, who settled in America, in 1894

Erasmus Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John J. Erasmus, who immigrated to America, in 1904
Katarina Erasmus, aged 21, who landed in America from Roga, in 1905
Anton Erasmus, aged 40, who settled in America from Roza, in 1905
Weronika Erasmus, aged 12, who immigrated to the United States from Koza, Austria, in 1907
Percy Erasmus, aged 17, who settled in America, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Erasmus (post 1700) +

Mrs. Charles C. Erasmus, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1956
Garth Erasmus (b. 1956), South African artist
Daniel Jacobus Erasmus (1830-1913), South African Boer political figure
Roy Erasmus, Canadian politician and lawyer from Northwest Territories
Daniel Erasmus, South African athlete who won twelve medals at the Paralympic Games Japan
Justin Erasmus (b. 1990), South African baseball player in the USA
Frans C. Erasmus (1896-1967), South African National Party politician
Georges Henry Erasmus QC (b. 1948), Canadian Aboriginal politician
Jaco Erasmus (b. 1979), South African-born Italian rugby union naturalized player
Marais Erasmus (b. 1964), South African cricket umpire and member of the ICC Elite Umpire Panel
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames