Ernest is a given name derived from Germanic word ernst, meaning "serious". Notable people and fictional characters with the name include: People Archduke Ernest of Austria (1553–1595), son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor Ernest, Margrave of Austria (1027–1075) Ernest, Duke of Bavaria (1373–1438) Ernest, Duke of Opava (c. 1415–1464) Ernest, Margrave of Baden-Durlach (1482–1553) Ernest, Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels (1623–1693) Ernest Augustus, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1629–1698) Ernest, Count of Stolberg-Ilsenburg (1650–1710) Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover (1771–1851), son of King George III of Great Britain Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1818–1893), sovereign duke of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover (1845–1923) Ernest, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1846–1925) Ernest Augustus, Prince of Hanover (1914–1987) Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1954) Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1983) Saint Ernest (died 1148), German...