Olrich History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Olrich was first found in Bavaria, in the city of Nuremburg, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

The name as a first name was associated with many notable figures of the mediaeval period, such as St. Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg, and Count Udalrich I (fl. 778-814), a son of Gerold of Vinzgau. His sister Hildegard, (b. 754), married King Charlemagne in 771 and his father, Gerold was a count in Kraichgau and Anglachgau.

Ulric Manfred II of Turin (c. 975-1033) was one of the first to coin the name in the personal form. Early records include: Ulric I of Carniola (d. 1070), the Margrave of Carniola and Carinthia; Ulric II of Carniola (d. 1112), the Margrave of Istria; Ulrich I, Bishop of Passau (c. 1027 - 1121); Ulrich of Zell (1029-1093), abbot and saint; Ulrich I Bishop of Eichstatt (r. 1075-1099); Ulrich of Bamberg (fl. 1100), priest and chronicler; and Ulrich von Lichtenstein (1200-1276,) a poet of some note. By the 14th century the name was firmly grounded as a prominent surname.