Surname Mähder - Meaning and Origin
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Mähder: What does the surname Mähder mean?
The last name Mähder is a German surname, derived from the Middle German word "mahde," meaning maid. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a servant or housekeeper, or it can also refer to an unmarried woman, often local regionally. The name Mähder is still found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and in other European countries, although its frequency has been declining in recent years.
The Mähder name is believed to have originated in northwestern Germany from an ancient German family, believed to be traceable to the Rhineland-Palatinate. In the Middle Ages, many local families were known by the place-name of their home, and it is thought that a Mähder family were one such clan. The meaning of their name has not been changed significantly over time, however it has been found spelled in a variety of ways, including Mäher, Mahder, Maeder, Maeder, and Maeder.
The Mähder family continues to be concentrated in Germany, and many still bear the Mähder surname. However, since the 19th century, there has been a large diaspora of Mähder’s to other countries, especially the United States, based on a search of passenger lists showing some immigrants bearing the Mähder surname. The name Mähder continues to be indicative of a proud and distinguished family history and tradition that has stood the test of time.
Order DNA origin analysisMähder: Where does the name Mähder come from?
The last name Mähder is a common German surname. It is most frequently found in the northern regions of Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It has also been observed in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, however to a lesser extent.
The last name Mähder is derived from the Germanic words mähe, meaning a "meadow", and dero, meaning a fenced-in area. It is likely that in earlier times, the surname belonged to individuals who were responsible for caring for the meadowlands. In some cases, the last name Mähder may have also been given to those living close to meadowlands or near a moor road.
Given the popularity of the surname, there are a number of Mähder families that have the same last name but are unrelated. As a result, Mähder families can be found scattered throughout Germany and in many other countries, particularly those with strong German roots, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Moreover, there are a number of well-known individuals who have the last name Mähder. One notable example is Reiner Mähder, a German footballer who has had a successful professional career, playing for Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen, and Hamburger SV. There is also Gert Mähder, a former politician from Lower Saxony and a former member of the Bundestag.
Variations of the surname Mähder
The surname Mähder is a German surname, originating from the German words 'mahd', meaning 'reaping', and 'er', meaning 'he who'. The variants of the surname Mähder include Mäher, Mahder, Mather and Meier.
Mähder is usually spelled with an umlaut or 'two dots' above the 'a', however in some cases, the dots may be omitted, and the surname may be spelt Mahder or Mather. The surname Mähder is also found in its anglicised form, Meier, although this spelling is far less common.
Other variants of the same name in its anglicised form include Mayer, Mair, Maier, and Mayr.
The surname Mähder is also found in a wide variety of other spellings, including Mahtar, Mahtare, Matare, Maya and Myer.
Some of the surnames that share the same origin as Mähder include Mayderer, Meidert, Mayders, Medianer, and Metaller.
In addition, the surnames Maydorff and Mähdorn are also derived from the original surname Mähder.
Overall, Mähder is an ancient surname with a diverse range of spellings and derivatives, reflecting its long history as a German surname.
Famous people with the name Mähder
- Günther Mähder, former West German sprinter and two-time bronze medalist in the 400 meters race at the 1988 Olympics.
- Martin Mähder, German footballer and FC Bayern manager from 2016–2019.
- Eugen Mähder, German geographer and hydrologist who was head of the department of geography at the University of Tübingen from 1964–1973.
- Julian Mähder, German ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Nürnberg Ice Tigers.
- Jürgen Mähder, East German middle-distance runner and gold medalist in the 1000 meters race at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
- Georg Mähder, German composer and bassist who has played in both jazz and classical ensembles since the mid-1980s.
- Joachim Mähder, German actor and theatre director who was in the cast of the popular television series "Der Landarzt" in the early 1980s.
- Andreas Mähder, German politician serving as Lord Mayor of Potsdam from 1994–2001.
- Julian Mähder, German tennis player who was ranked as high as 64th in singles and 153rd in doubles in the ATP rankings in 2014.
- Robert Mähder, German economist and professor at the University of Mainz, and author of the book "Economic Crises in Germany, 1945–2011".