| ![Show Contents]() Ernster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The Ernster surname is thought to derive from the Old High German word "ernus," which meant "fight." As such, Ernster was most likely originally a nickname for a person or family whose defining characteristic is a serious demeanor or temperament. Nickname surnames were a class of German names derived from "eke-names," or "added names," that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Early Origins of the Ernster familyThe surname Ernster was first found in Bavaria, where the family emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. Early History of the Ernster familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ernster research. Another 234 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1556, 1624, 1644, 1664, 1666, 1675, 1682, 1688, 1695, 1712, 1716, 1719, 1773, 1786, 1787, 1798, 1814, 1832, 1838 and 1844 are included under the topic Early Ernster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ernster Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Ernster include Ernst, Ernste, Ernest, Errnst, Ernesten, Arnst, Aernst, Arnest and many more. Early Notables of the Ernster familyProminent among members of the name Ernster in this period include Georg Ernst of Limburg Stirum, (died 1666), Count of Limburg Stirum, Count of Bronckhorst, Lord of Wisch, Lichtenvoorde and Wildenborch; Christian Ernst of...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ernster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ernster familyGerman settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Ernster surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Joseph Ernst, who settled in Georgia in 1735 with his wife Anna Maria and daughter Susannah. Felix Ernst settled in Pennsylvania in 1744 with his wife Elsbetha Weydmann, while Friedrich Ernest settled in Texas in 1846..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Ernster (post 1700) | + |
- Paul T. Ernster (b. 1982), American NFL football punter
- John J. Ernster, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Limoges, 1914 1
- Lars Ernster (1920-1998), Hungarian professor of biochemistry, and a member of the Board of the Nobel Foundation
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