Ernst Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Ernst surname: its meaning, its roots in Germany, and its heraldry.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Ernst coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Ernst name
Ernst comes from the Germanic personal name Ernst, from Old High German ernust, "seriousness, determination". The name was popular among German princes in the later Middle Ages, notably in the houses of Saxony and Austria, and it could also be a nickname for a serious or resolute man. Ernst is found throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Ernst name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Ernst name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Austria and Switzerland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Ernst family history
The researched Ernst pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Ernst coat of arms.
Ernst name FAQ
What does the Ernst name mean?
Earnest, resolute. Common variants include Ernest, Ernsting.
Where does the Ernst surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in the United States, Austria and Switzerland.
Is there a Ernst coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Ernst crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Ernst coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).