Ernest Johann Eitel or alternatively Ernest John Eitel (13 February 1838 – 10 November 1908) was a German Protestant missionary to China born in Württemberg, Germany.Eitel studied initially at the Theological Seminary, Schönthal. In 1860, he graduated from the University of Tübingen with Master of Arts (and Doctor of Philosophy in 1871). He was appointed vicar of the state Evangelical-Lutheran Church at Mossingen for the next 12 months.