House of Leiningen
In the Middle Ages, the river was known as "Leinbach". This name refers to the "Leinbaum", that is, the Lime tree ("Tilia × europaea" , not related to the "Citrus aurantifolia", the tree that produces the lime (fruit)). In those days, both the Norway Maple ("Acer platanoides") and the Large-leaved Linden ("Tilia platyphyllos") were called "Leinbaum" in German. Both species were common on the banks of the Eckbach. One difference between the species is the shape of the leaves: maple leaves are five lobed, lime leaves are undivided. The coat of arms of the House of Leiningen shows a stylized tree with five-lobed leaves and five-pointed flowers clearly point to a maple. The House of Leiningen originated in the area around the upper Eckbach. It is entirely possible that they named their ancestral castle after the river. The family was later named after their castle and the area around the upper Eckbach is now called "Leininger Land".