Egeland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Egeland

What does the name Egeland mean?

The Egeland surname is thought to come from the Norman female personal name, Agilina, originally of Germanic origin.

Early Origins of the Egeland family

The surname Egeland was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Egeland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Egeland research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Egeland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Egeland Spelling Variations

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 Egeland include Eglin, Eglon, Egling, Eggling, Egland, Eglen, Eagland, Eaglin, Eaglon, Hegland, Heglin, Heglen, Hegling, Egolyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Egeland family

More information is included under the topic Early Egeland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Egeland family

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 Egeland were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Robert Eglan, who settled in Maryland in 1737; and James Egland, who arrived in New York, NY in 1823.

Contemporary Notables of the name Egeland (post 1700) +

Alv Egeland (1932-2025), Norwegian physicist, born in Kvinesdal
John Olav Egeland (b. 1951), Norwegian journalist and editor
Erik Egeland (1921-1996), Norwegian journalist and art critic
Allan Egeland (b. 1973), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey centre
Tom Egeland (b. 1959), Norwegian author
Jan Egeland (b. 1957), Norwegian Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch and the Director of Human Rights Watch Europe