Surname Altherr - Meaning and Origin

Altherr: What does the surname Altherr mean?

The last name Altherr is believed to have originated in Germany in the Middle Ages, and has roots in the word 'alther' which comes from the Middle High German word meaning old. It is believed to have been used as a nickname for people who were older than their peers, and later became adopted as a surname.

In some cases, the name Altherr may have been a toponym, derived from a place name in Germany. For example, if someone was from a village called Althem, their surname might have been Altherr, or from Althea, Althede or Altle.

The Altherr surname is mostly found in the southern regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and may have been established in those areas by the 17th century. It is also found in the United States, where it was taken by German immigrants who settled there in the 19th century.

Altherr can be an occupational name, indicating that the Altherr family were tailors or cloth merchants. As a variant of the name Alther, it can also be a descriptive nickname for someone with white or silver hair, or it may be derived from the Old High German word 'altheri', meaning 'protect'.

The Altherr name is unique and has many possible meanings, though its true origins remain a mystery to this day.

Altherr: Where does the name Altherr come from?

The last name Altherr is most commonly found in Switzerland, where it is thought to have originated in the 1500s. It is also found in other regions of Germany, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

In Switzerland, the name is most commonly associated with the Altherr family of Zurich. A related family, the Altherrs of Appenzell, are known for having established the first Swiss newspaper. The Altherrs were also among the first Swiss watchmakers and have produced watches for centuries.

In addition to central Europe, Altherr is now common in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Many of the Altherrs who settled in American had their origins in Switzerland. The Altherrs may also have come to the United States from Germany during the 19th century. Today, the last name is also present in Latin America, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Given its Swiss origins, Altherr implies a Switzerland heritage. It may also refer to those with Germanic ancestry, which is particularly common in countries such as Australia and the United States.

Variations of the surname Altherr

Altherr is a German-language surname derived from the Middle High German word "altar," meaning "nation" or "clan." The most common variant spellings of Altherr are Alltrath, Altar and Alltrer. It is also sometimes spelled with an umlaut, as Älterer.

There are several surnames that are derived from or variant of Altherr, including Oldendorf, Alder, Aldinger, Aldrich, Elder, Eldridge, Ellrod, Eltringham, Althoff, and Alther. These variants may be spelled differently in other languages such as English, Dutch, and Polish, but the root remains the same.

Altherr is a rare surname in North America, but very popular in parts of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It typically belongs to families descended from a distant common ancestor who used it as a family name.

Additionally, Altherr may be related to the surname Alt, which is derived from the same root although the precise relationship is unknown. The recently popularized "alt-right" movement is an example of this relationship.

Altogether, Altherr remains a rarely used yet popular surname of German origin, with a wide variety of spellings, variants, and related surnames.

Famous people with the name Altherr

• John Altherr: Former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
• Cheri Altherr: Retired commissioner with the Texas Department of Banking.
• Debra Altherr: Field supervisor for the Our Texas Children’s Office.
• Bob Altherr: American professional golfer.
• Eric Altherr: Attorney and former mayor of Herrin, Illinois.
• Jim Altherr: American singer, songwriter, and musician.
• Melinda Altherr: Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio.
• Michael Altherr: Producer, songwriter, and musician.
• Stephen Altherr: German professional baseball player who is currently a member of the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB).
• Tom Altherr: Republican member of the Wisconsin Assembly who represents the 95th District.
• Victoria Altherr: Professional ballroom, Latin, and swing dancer and teacher.

Other surnames

AltheinzAlthenhofAlther