Show ContentsEngelbretson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Engelbretson emerged in the ancient German province of Westphalia, which lies between the Rhine and Wesser rivers. Two of the common types of hereditary surnames found in the Westphalia were patronymic surnames, which were derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which were derived from the mother's given name. The surname Engelbretson was derived from various Germanic personal names. The name Engelbretson is a short form of given names such as Engelbert or Engelhard.

Early Origins of the Engelbretson family

The surname Engelbretson was first found in Bremen, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Engelbretson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Engelbretson research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1630, 1669, 1674, 1689, 1694 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Engelbretson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Engelbretson Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Engelbretson include Engel, Engels, Engell, Engeler, Engeli, Aingel, Aingell, Aengel, Aengell, Aingeler, Engele, Aingele, Engler, Engebretson, Engelbrekt, Engelbretson, Engebrecht, Engelbrecht, Engelbrecher, Engelbert and many more.

Early Notables of the Engelbretson family

Notables of the period with the name Engelbretson were Hans Ludwig Engel (1630-1674), a Roman Catholic canon lawyer, best known as the author of "ollegium Universi Juris Canonici", Vice Chancellor at the University of Salzburg (1669); and Ludwig Engel (died 1694)...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Engelbretson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Engelbretson family

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: Adam Engel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1754; Christian Engel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1787; Heinrich Engel, age 30; who arrived in New York state in 1877.



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