Meaning and origin
The last name Albert has its origin in Germany. The name became popular during the medieval period and has since spread to various parts of the world, evolving into different variations and forms.
The longer story
The last name Albert has a rich and intriguing history. Derived from the given name Albert, which originated from the Germanic elements "adal" meaning "noble" and "beraht" meaning "bright", this surname carries a profound meaning. Over the centuries, the name has evolved and spread across different regions, resulting in various spellings and adaptations.
The surname Albert can be traced back to the early medieval period in Europe. It emerged as a patronymic surname, indicating descent from an individual named Albert. As a hereditary surname, it was passed down through generations, contributing to its prevalence today.
One significant influence on the distribution of the Albert surname is immigration. With the waves of European immigration to the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, many individuals carrying the surname Albert arrived on American shores. These immigrants sought new opportunities and a fresh start, bringing with them their culture, traditions, and names.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,076
Albert was the 1,076th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 32,507 people, about 11 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Albert
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Albert is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.