Engelberger

Engelberger is a surname of German origin, likely toponymic from Engelberg, a town in central Switzerland, or derived from the German elements engel (angel) and berg (mountain). The name is found in German-speaking regions and among diaspora communities.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Joseph F. Engelberger (1925–2015), an American roboticist and entrepreneur who co-founded Unimation with George Devol. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of robotics and is often described as the father of robotics. Under his leadership, Unimation developed the first widely produced industrial robot, the Unimate, helping to establish robotics as a mainstream technology in manufacturing.

In Swiss German, Engelberger serves as the demonym for residents of Engelberg, a municipality in the canton of Obwalden. The name’s association with Engelberg is reflected in various family names and historical references tied to the region.

See also Engelberg. The surname is primarily associated with individuals of German-speaking heritage, and its use is most common in North America and parts of Europe where Germanic naming traditions are present.