Eberly
A surname of German origin, likely a shortened or altered form of a name built on the old personal name Eber- meaning “boar.”
The #6,985 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 64,376 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Eberly is most likely a German surname formed from a personal name beginning with Eber-, a common old Germanic element meaning “boar.” In historical name practice, such names often developed into surnames through diminutive, shortened, or regional spelling forms. The ending -ly here is best understood as an altered surname ending rather than the English adverb suffix.
History
The 19th-century German surname literature links Eberly with forms such as Eberli and related Eber- names, suggesting it is a variant within a wider family of German surnames. In English-speaking countries, especially the United States, the spelling Eberly became established as families migrated and names were adapted to local pronunciation and spelling habits. It is found today chiefly in the U.S., where it remains a relatively uncommon surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The Eber- element shows up in many German surnames and given names because the boar was a traditional symbol of strength and fierceness.
From the historical record
“Eberhart, p. 304 Eberli, p. 304 Eberly = Eberli, Ebermann, p. 304 Ebert, p. 304 Ebi, p. 304 Eby = Ebi, Ebling, p. 304”
— Studies in Pennsylvania German Family Names