SurnameDB – The Internet Surname Database

Underlined words are explained in our glossary.

This unusual surname is recorded in the spellings of Ecktor, Ector, Hecter and Hector. It has two possible origins, the first being derived from the ancient classical hero, and as such probably introduced into Europe in the 12th century at the time of the 12th century . These unsuccessful military expeditions attempted to free the Holy Land from the grip of the Moslems. It was a common policy for returning soldiers to name their male offspring with biblical or classical names, in commemoration of the fathers 'pilgrimage'. The second derivation is from the early (Irish-Scottish) 'Eachdonn', meaning 'the dark horse', and therefore presumably a . In both Scotland and Ireland this spelling was to 'Ecktor' or 'Hector'. The latter is now the recognised spelling of the name, which is principally recorded in Northern Ireland. An example from this region being Mary Hector, the daughter of Robert Hector, at Donaghmore, County Tyrone, on December 30th 1770. The early American recordings are firstly as Hecter, Catharine Hecter, the daughter of Frederick Hecter, being christened at Rhinebeck, N.

List Ancestral records for:- Ector

Y. on April 8th 1755. They people were probably of Dutch origins. Annesje Hector, who married Zacharias Hoffman at Shawangunk, N.Y. on July 30th 1772, most certainly was Dutch. However Sarah Ector, who married John Wilson at Trinity Church, New York, N.Y., was probably of Irish stock, the name 'Wilson' also being very popular in Northern Ireland. The granted in France, has the of three towers on a . The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elizabeth Ecktor, which was dated July 15th 1692, married at Derry Cathedral, Northern Ireland, during the reign of King William 111 of England and Orange, 1689 - 1702. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as . Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing of the original spelling.
Your A4 printed scroll

Surname scroll

Ector Surname Scroll

Printed A4 parchment scroll · 8.3 × 11.7 in

Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. An ideal gift.

Buy 2 or more scrollsGet free shipping
  • Printed and dispatched within 5 working days
  • Royal Mail delivery to almost anywhere in the world
  • Research exclusive to The Internet Surname Database
See all photos and details →
The MyHeritage DNA testing kit

Partner offer

Ector is one branch. Find the rest in your DNA.

MyHeritage DNA shows your origins across 2,114 regions and finds relatives through shared DNA.

Explore MyHeritage DNA (opens MyHeritage in a new tab)

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.

Historical records

Records about the Ector family

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.