Surname Moelder - Meaning and Origin
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Moelder: What does the surname Moelder mean?
Moelder is a Dutch and German surname. It is thought to have originated from the medieval given name "Muldir," which holds Germanic roots and means "praise-worthy". Historically, Moelder was an occupational surname referring to a miller, specifically someone who operated a grain mill. Generally, such individuals were members of the lower classes who provided sustenance for larger social units.
In the modern day, the surname Moelder is fairly common, with individuals bearing this name living in many places in Europe and America. Despite this, it is still quite rare and there is little information regarding those carrying the name.
For those interested in genealogy, Moelder may be a useful surname to trace one's roots using genealogical records. It may also be a starting point to investigate surnames associated with milling and their possible association with one being of a particular social class.
Overall, the surname Moelder is likely to remain shrouded in mystery and many questions surrounding it remain unanswered. Nonetheless, research into its roots can provide a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Order DNA origin analysisMoelder: Where does the name Moelder come from?
The last name Moelder is most commonly found today in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. The first documented instance of the name is in 1739, when a Dutchman named Hendrick Moelder settled in Staten Island, New York. Since then, nearly 500 individuals with the Moelder surname have taken up residence throughout the US.
Today, the Midwest is home to the highest number of people with the Moelder surname. In Ohio alone, the name can be found in at least 80 towns and cities, including the cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Akron. Michigan also has a significant population of people with the Moelder surname, mostly living along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Usually, the first name associated with Moelder is Lawrence, suggesting that the name was likely Dutch in origin and spread westward by way of immigration from the Netherlands. Interestingly, Moelder names are also found in parts of Australia, albeit in much lower numbers than in the US.
It seems that today, in the US, the last name Moelder is typically found in the Midwest, though it can be found in other parts of the country as well. This is likely the result of centuries of migration and family networks that have slowly spread the name throughout the States.
Variations of the surname Moelder
Moelder is a German surname which is derived from the Middle High German word moolder meaning a moulder of clay or soil. This surname can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages when there was a growing need for potters and other craftsmen who specialised in pottery making and clay shaping.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Moelder include Mölders, Mulders, Molders, Meulders, Moulders, Möhlers, Muehlens, Mühlens and Mohlers.
In Germany, the surname Moelder is also often written as Moelter or Mölder. The variants Miller and Mueller derive from the same root but by different paths. The Miller surname is commonly found in the U.S., England and Scotland, and is derived from the Middle English millere meaning a person responsible for controlling the flow of food or grain in a mill. The Mueller surname is derived from the Middle High German word mulinare meaning miller.
In the Netherlands, the surname Mulder is found quite commonly and is derived from the Dutch word for miller. It is also known as Mulders, Moulders and Molders.
The variants Moeller, Mohler, Moller and Mole are also derived from the same root. The Moeller surname is found in many parts of Europe and is derived from the Middle High German word molare, a variant of mulinare. The Mohler surname is derived from the Old High German word muol which means a mole, and may suggest the original bearer worked as a mole catcher. The Moller surname is derived from the German word Möller which means a proprietor of a mill. Lastly, the Mole surname is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for moulder, and is assumed to have belonged to an individual who was skilled in pottery moulding.
In summary, Moelder is a German surname which has many variants and spellings of the same origin such as Mölders, Mulders, Miller, Mueller, Mulder, Moler, Mohler, Moller and Mole. Each surname has its own distinct origin and associated meanings.
Famous people with the name Moelder
- Karl Moelder: Estonian mathematician.
- Lauri Moelder: Estonian actor.
- Indrek Moelder: Estonian actor.
- Mait Moelder: Estonian musician.
- Henno Moelder: Estonian professional athlete.
- Vaido Moelder: Estonian musician.
- Anneli Moelder: Estonian journalist and editor.
- Urmo Moelder: Estonian professional ice hockey player.
- Kari Moelder: Estonian professional sailor.
- Margit Moelder: Estonian philologist.
- Aivar Moelder: Estonian entrepreneur and former politician.
- Jaak Moelder: Estonian actor.
- Helen Moelder-Pilts: Estonian actress.
- Bruno Moelder: Dutch landscape painter.
- Adel Moelder: Canadian politician and former mayor of Toronto.
- Jeff Moelder: American park ranger, author, TV host, and naturalist.
- Brian Moelder: American tennis coach.
- Moana Moelder: American lifeguard, professional swimmer, and coach.
- Grant Moelder: American lawyer and former politician in Montana.
- Andrew Moelder: American professional skateboarder.