Elph One-Name Study

Elph
One-Name Study

Topics

About the Elph One-Name Study
Variants
Origin of the surname
Frequency of the name
Distribution of the name
Data
Contact Details

About the Elph One-Name Study

Research into ELPH and similar names is part of a wider study of the surname ULPH and its variants. This began in 1978 and was registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies in 1983. We aim to bring together holders of the name and their descendants through correspondence, newsletters and occasional clan gatherings.

Variants

ELF, ELFES, ALF, ALFF and ALFS.

Origin of the surname

ELPH was almost certainly an offshoot of ULPH, which originated in the parish of Burnham Ulph, now part of Burnham Market, Norfolk. Before the acquisition of surnames, ULF (Old Norse for wolf) was a common name among the Saxons and Vikings of northern Europe. The names ELF, ELFES and ALFF were imported from Europe in the 19th century. Their origin is not yet known.

Frequency of the name

ELPH is now extinct in Britain. Currently there are about 40 ELFES, 30 ALFF and 20 ELF (including spouses), and even smaller numbers of ALF, ALE and ALFS. Numbers in mainland Europe are not yet known.

Distribution of the name

The names are scattered through England and probably continental Europe.

Data

Data held includes births, baptisms, adoptions, marriages, deaths, burials, wills, soldiers documents, trade directories and court records. Most of these are British records, but the study is worldwide and new information and contacts are always welcome. Our newsletter, ULPH Family News, is sent free of charge to anyone with an interest in our names. The official ULPH FAMILY HISTORY book, which concentrates mainly on British origins, was published in hardback in 2005.

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Mr Colin A Ulph
281 Upper Shoreham Road,
Shoreham-By-Sea,
West Sussex
BN43 6BB
UNITED KINGDOM
E-mail:

This page last updated 25 February 2008.