Surname Alter - Meaning and Origin
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Alter: What does the surname Alter mean?
The surname Alter is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish word "elter" meaning "older". It was often bestowed as a nickname to the elder of two siblings, or to a senior figure or elder within a community. The name signifies respect and experience associated with advanced age. In some cases, it was acquired by the head of the household or a person who held an authoritative or prominent position within a community. The surname also had an occasional variant in "Alterman". Like many Jewish surnames, it was adopted relatively late, usually in the 18th or 19th century. It continues to be a common surname within Jewish communities around the world. However, meaning of surnames can vary greatly depending on cultural, regional, and historical contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisAlter: Where does the name Alter come from?
The surname Alter has its roots in various cultures. It's primarily an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, derived from Hebrew (אַלְתֵּר), meaning "old" or "elder". This was often given to the older of two siblings or to a venerable older person within the community. In German, the name Alter similarly means "old", but it's considered more likely to be a residential name from a place like Alten or Altena.
The surname could alternatively be of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Aldhere, which means an ‘old army’ or ‘ancient army’.
Final possible source of the surname could be from the French surname D’Alter, which translates as 'from Alter', possibly referring to someone who came from an area called Alter.
Today, the surname Alter is quite common in the United States, Germany, and Israel. Many Jewish families in the U.S. bear this name. It also has a significant presence in English speaking countries like Australia, England, and Canada. However, it should not be assumed that all individuals with the Alter surname share the same ethnic or religious background due to its diverse sources.
Variations of the surname Alter
The surname Alter is primarily of German origin, which means "old" or "elder". Variants of the name can include names such as Alterman, Altman, Altermann, and Alt. It might also be a derived short form of any compound names beginning with 'Old' or 'Alt', like Alther, Althus.
In Yiddish, it was also used as part of a compound first name, Alter-Reb, where Reb is a title preceding a Jewish religious teacher or scholar. Additionally, in Eastern Ashkenazic Jewish communities, this given name was often bestowed upon a boy born shortly after the death of a close relative, as it was associated with the Yiddish verb ‘altern’ meaning ‘to change’.
Rare spellings of the name could include Alte, Altr, Aaltar, or Alteer. The surname might appear different in languages other than German, such as in French as 'Vieux', 'Vecchio' in Italian, 'Viejo' in Spanish or 'Starý' in Czech, all meaning 'old'. It is essential to note that while these surnames share a common meaning, they might not share an origin or lineage with the surname Alter.
It's also of importance that not all surnames that sound similar are of the same origin or share a common root, such as the surnames Elter, Ulter, or Halter.
Famous people with the name Alter
- Robert Alter: An esteemed American literary critic and professor, renowned for his translation of the Hebrew Bible.
- Gretchen Alter: An American singer, dancer, and actress known for her Broadway performances.
- David Alter: A 19th century American inventor and scientist known for his work in spectroscopy.
- John Alter: A popular Indian cricketer.
- Tom Alter: An Indian actor of American descent known for his work in Bollywood and theater.
- Michael Alter: An American businessman and the owner of the Chicago Sky WNBA team.
- Erich Alter: A German fencing champion from the 1930s.
- Jonathan Alter: A well-known American journalist, author, and television producer.
- Jim Alter: An Indian actor, known for his supporting roles in Bollywood and theatre.
- Alfie Scopp: Originally Alfredo Scoppa, a Canadian actor known for his roles in various popular children's shows. Please note that not all individuals listed are ‘famous’ in the conventional sense; some are notable or significant within their respective fields or disciplines.