EGLIN
Eglin is an English surname that derives from the Old English personal name Ecgwine, meaning “sword friend”. Its formation is patrilineal, denoting the descendants of a man named Ecgwine; consequently it is a patronymic surname.
In the medieval period the name underwent a gradual evolution, giving rise to the modern spelling Eglin. The earliest documented instance of a related form is that of Alexander Egelin, recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Suffolk in 1185, the year of the reign of King Richard I. The usage of the surname persisted through the centuries, with various orthographic variants such as Eglin, Eglen, Eagling and Eagland appearing in contemporary documents.
There are alternative hypotheses concerning its etymology. One suggests that Eglin is a diminutive of the nickname eagle, bestowed upon a lordly or sharp‑eyed individual. This nickname is derived from Middle English egle, itself from Old French aigle, meaning “eagle”. A second possibility is that the surname originates from the female personal name Egelina, a Norman form of the Old Germanic Agilina. Both theories locate the name’s origin in the late twelfth century.
Historical records further illustrate the surname’s geographical spread. Peter Eglyn is mentioned in the London city letters of 1369, while other individuals such as Richard Eaglan (married in Stepney in 1644), William Eagles (married in Mayfair in 1753), Jane Eglen (christened in Southwark in 1790) and William Eaglen (married in Shoreditch in 1860) attest to its continued presence in England. In more recent times, bearers of the surname can be found primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Thus, the surname Eglin encapsulates a rich linguistic heritage, tracing back to early medieval England and maintaining a presence across both the British Isles and North America through the centuries.
Typical given names associated with the Eglin surname
Male
- Adrian
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Ian
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Thomas
Female
- Carly
- Christine
- Emma
- Janet
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Pauline
- Rebecca
- Ruth
- Sally
- Sarah
- Valerie
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Eglin in...
Braille
⠑⠛⠇⠊⠝
Morse
.--..-....-.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Eglin are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Fig Roll.
There are approximately 412 people named Eglin in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Eglin.
Surname type: Diminutive
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
