Find out how popular the last name Eh is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Eh.

Eh, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Eh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Eh in America

Eh is the 56444th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Eh surname appeared 362 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Eh.

The history of the last name Eh

The surname "Eh" has its origins in the ancient Germanic language, tracing back to the 6th century AD. It is believed to have derived from the Old High German word "awa," which means "river" or "stream." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone who lived near a river or had a profession related to water.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname "Eh" can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval German charters and documents dating back to the 8th century. It mentions an individual named "Eho" who was a landowner in the region of modern-day Bavaria.

In the 11th century, the name appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England compiled by order of William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named "Edulphus de Eh" who held estates in the county of Lincolnshire.

During the Middle Ages, the name "Eh" underwent various spelling variations, including "Eha," "Ehe," and "Ehhe." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the scribes responsible for documenting the name.

One notable figure bearing the surname "Eh" was Johannes Eh, a German theologian and reformer who lived from 1486 to 1547. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and played a crucial role in the spread of Lutheran teachings throughout central Europe.

Another individual of historical significance was Katharina Eh, a German Renaissance artist who lived from 1521 to 1591. She was renowned for her intricate woodcarvings and sculptures, many of which adorned churches and cathedrals across Germany.

In the 16th century, the name "Eh" was also associated with a prominent family of merchants and bankers in the city of Augsburg, Germany. The Eh family amassed considerable wealth and influenced through their trade and financial dealings.

Moving forward to the 17th century, we find the name "Eh" linked to a notable military figure, Hans Eh, who served as a general in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). He was renowned for his strategic prowess and played a crucial role in several significant battles during the conflict.

Lastly, in the 19th century, the name "Eh" gained recognition through the work of the German writer and poet, Wilhelm Eh, who lived from 1811 to 1879. His poetic works explored themes of nature, love, and the human experience, earning him a place among the prominent literary figures of the Romantic era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Eh

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Eh.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Eh was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Eh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Eh, please contact us.

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