Show ContentsElrech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Elrech originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived 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

Early Origins of the Elrech family

The surname Elrech 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

Early History of the Elrech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elrech research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Elrech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elrech Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Elrech has appeared include Elrich, Elritch, Eldrich, Eldrick, Eldred, Eldrid, Eldridg, Eldredge, Eldridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Elrech family

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

Migration of the Elrech family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Elrech arrived in North America very early: 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.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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