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The Eldrach family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the Old English name Aelfric, which literally means "elf-ruler" or Aeoelric which means "noble ruler." Both survived the Conquest, by which time the first element of the name had been reduced to "Al" or "El." Aeflric, Aefric, Alfric, Aluric 1 was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in one form or the other. 2
The surname Eldrach was first found in Suffolk where one of the first records of the name found there was Hugo Aeflic filius c. 1095. In 1209, Ricardus Alurici was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire. Continuing through early census records, William Alfric was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1212 in Berkshire, William Alfrich was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296 and finally, John Alfryg was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327. 2
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eldrach research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Eldrach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Eldrach include Elrich, Elritch, Eldrich, Eldrick, Eldred, Eldrid, Eldridg, Eldredge, Eldridge and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Eldrach Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Eldrach were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Samuel Eldredge who settled in Virginia in 1637; Giles Eldridg, his wife Mary, and son Giles, settled in Barbados in 1679; Captain Eldridge settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850.