Ern History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Ern

What does the name Ern mean?

The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Ern family. Ern is a local name. Ern is a name for someone who lived in Bavaria, where they have been associated with the tribal conflicts of the area since ancient times.

Early Origins of the Ern family

The surname Ern was first found in Bavaria, where the name Ehrne was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Ern family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ern research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1787 is included under the topic Early Ern History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ern Spelling Variations

Many 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 Ern include Ehrne, Ehrn, Ehrnne, Ehrnn, Eyrne, Eyrnne, Earne, Earnne, Ern and many more.

Early Notables of the Ern family

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

Ern migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Erns to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Ern Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans David Ern, who settled in Philadelphia in 1744

Contemporary Notables of the name Ern (post 1700) +

Ern Aitchison (1905-1991), Australian rugby player
Ern Malley (1918-1943), fictitious English-born, Australian poet, subject of Australia's most famous literary hoax, created by writers James McAuley and Harold Stewart to hoax the Angry Penguins, a modernist art and literary movement; ironically this fictional person became more famous than the perpetrators of the hoax
Ern Trickey (1933-2011), former Australian rules footballer for Fitzroy and South Melbourne from 1953 through 1957
Ern Woodfield (1888-1974), Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda in 1910
Ern Cowley (b. 1892), Australian rules footballer