Surname Engelbrecher - Meaning and Origin

Engelbrecher: What does the surname Engelbrecher mean?

The last name Engelbrecher is of German origin and is an occupational surname. Deriving from the German words "Engel" meaning "angel" and "brechen" meaning "to break," the name refers to someone who was an “angel breaker” or “angel smasher,” likely referring to someone whose work was to break up thick lumps of clay during the production of pottery. The name likely dates back several centuries to when clay pottery was produced and fired in kilns powered by wood. The person responsible for preparing the raw material for the pottery, by breaking it up to make the clay more malleable, was given the job title of “angel smasher” or “angel breaker.”

The Engelbrecher last name is found throughout Germany and German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, and can also be found in countries colonized by Germans, like the United States. The surname is especially common in the Midwest, particularly among those of Pennsylvania German ancestry.

The Engelbrecher name is slightly less common in modern times as the technique of breaking up clay or pottery is no longer necessary with the invention of mechanical methods for preparing the material. Today, those with the Engelbrecher surname can be found in various fields. Some work in skilled trades such as electrical engineering or carpentry, some practice law or medicine, and others pursue creative disciplines such as music or art.

Engelbrecher: Where does the name Engelbrecher come from?

The last name Engelbrecher is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. It is a German surname of toponymic origin, meaning "angel/messenger breaker".

In Germany, Engelbrecher is most common in the southern region of Bavaria. It is particularly concentrated around Bavarian cities such as Munich and Nuremberg. Engelbrecher is the 7,854th most common family name in Germany.

The surname is most prevalent in Austria in the states of Tyrol, Styria, and Salzburg. It is the 5,246th most common surname across the entire country of Austria.

The surname Engelbrecher is also somewhat common in the Czech Republic. It is particularly concentrated in the Moravian cities of Brno and Olomouc. Engelbrecher is the 22,034th most common family name in the Czech Republic.

Across all three countries, Engelbrecher is among the ten thousand most common surnames. Most individuals with the last name Engelbrecher are likely to be of Germanic, Austrian, or Czech descent.

Variations of the surname Engelbrecher

The surname Engelbrecher is of German origin and is derived from the root word Engel, which directly translates to angel in English. The Brecher suffix is believed to be derived from the German verb brechen, which in English means to break. This likely refers to the occupational nature of various individuals who held the surname, for example, bell-breakers. It is possible the surname was used to refer to a tool breaker or possibly stone-cutters within certain industries. Additionally, the meaning of Engelbrecher may be of spiritual interpretation, as many German surnames containing angels were believed to signify a spiritual origin story or divine protection.

The surname Engelbrecher can also be seen in a variety of related names and spellings, with common combinations being Engelbrecht, Engelbert and Angelebrecht. Additionally, variants such as Engelbrecher, Engelbreher and Engelbercht can be found in Germany and Scandinavia. Related surnames such as Engelbart, Anglehart, Enkleyber, Engelgeer, Enklerger, Enckelber and Engelebert may also be found in modern Germany, Poland and throughout Scandinavia.

In the United States, the most common spelling is Engelbrecht, however variants such as Angelebrecht, Engel, Engelland, Einglebarger, Angleberger and Anglebrandt can also be found. Furthermore, the surname Engelbrecher is often accompanied by the prefixes von, zu and den, all of which are used to denote familial ancestry or particular place of origin.

Famous people with the name Engelbrecher

• Clive Engelbrecher: A South African businessman, media owner and investor.
• Edward Engelbrecher: An American aircraft designer and aeronautical engineer who co-founded Edward Engelbrecher and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in aerospace engineer design, research and technology.
• Eddie Engelbrecher: An American sportscaster who is the current voice of the Rockford IceHogs and previously broadcasted for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.
• Mae Engelbrecher: An American politician who served as the 73rd mayor of Crawfordsville, Indiana.
• Paul Engelbrecher: An American architect who was involved in the design of several iconic buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area including the Garden of Memories Memorial, Golden Gate Park’s Sunken Garden, and the San Francisco General Hospital.
• Ethel Engelbrecher: An American realtor and co-founder of Engelbrecher Realty.
• Rick Engelbrecher: An American artist and mountain climber who specializes in outdoor and nature photography and is the co-founder of Wild Rockies Expeditions.
• Thomas Engelbrecher: A German opera singer who debuted as an alto in the State Theater of Hanover in 1960.
• Willy Engelbrecher: An Australian rugby league player who spent most of his career with the Newtown Jets, playing in the New South Wales Rugby League.
• Wilhelm Engelbrecher: A German architect who designed and built numerous churches and churches across Germany between the 12th and 16th centuries.

Other surnames

Engelbrecht