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The Erlank Surname is currently ubiquitous in South Africa. The roots of the surname can be traced back to two (brothers/ cousins) immigrating to South Africa from Sweden and Norway. Family lore includes a story that one of the (brothers) had the name of Erlank Tjernander and that the Dutch citizens in the Cape could not pronounce the Tjernander surname - hence the Name was changed to the surname. After some more research this seems to be an urban legend and the facts seem to be the other way round. One of the brothers had the NAME of Tjernander.
The most well known Erlank in South African history was Eitemal Erlank (WJ du P Erlank) who was a well known writer and wrote under the pseudonym of Eitemal. http://www.stellenboschwriters.com/eitemal.html
Also included in the illustrous history of the Erlank surname in South Africa, is the fact that one of the ancestors was President TF (Thomas Francois) Burgers (President of the Transvaal).
It is postulated that further research could show an morphological change of the surname from the French Arlanc to the modern Erlank.
Please contact Wian Erlank at werlank@gmail.com for more collaboration.