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

Ehly, 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 Ehly surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ehly in America

Ehly is the 43438th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ehly surname appeared 497 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 Ehly.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ehly to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ehly

The surname Ehly originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "ehl," which means "sharp" or "pointed." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone with a sharp or pointed facial feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ehly can be found in the town of Ehlingen, located in the modern-day state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the 13th century, a document mentions a "Johannes von Ehlingen," which translates to "John of Ehlingen." This suggests that the name may have initially been a locational surname, referring to someone from the village of Ehlingen.

In the 16th century, the name Ehly appeared in various records and manuscripts throughout Germany. For example, in 1543, a man named Hans Ehly was recorded in the town of Nürnberg. Another notable individual from this era was Matthias Ehly, a scholar and theologian who lived in the late 16th century and authored several works on religious subjects.

As the name spread throughout Germany and into neighboring regions, various spelling variations emerged, such as Ehli, Ehlert, and Ehlinger. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes.

One of the most prominent individuals bearing the Ehly surname was Johann Ehly, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1671 to 1743. His works, which included religious paintings and portraits, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime and can still be found in various museums and collections across Europe.

Another notable figure was Friedrich Ehly, a German writer and journalist born in 1803. He was a prolific author, publishing numerous novels, short stories, and articles throughout his career. His works often explored themes of social justice and political reform, reflecting the turbulent times in which he lived.

In the 19th century, the Ehly name gained a foothold in the United States, as German immigrants began to settle in various parts of the country. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in America was that of Johann Ehly, who arrived in New York in 1848 and later settled in the Midwest.

Throughout history, the Ehly surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including artists, scholars, writers, and tradesmen. While the name may have originated from a specific geographical location or physical characteristic, it has since become a part of the rich tapestry of surnames found throughout Germany and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ehly

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

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 Ehly 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ehly has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Ehly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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