Surname Noelder - Meaning and Origin
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Noelder: What does the surname Noelder mean?
The last name Noelder is of German origin and can be translated as “one who lives near the Elm”. It is an occupational name deriving from the Middle High German “nelle” which means “elm tree” and “tor” meaning “dweller”.
In the Middle Ages, elm trees were an important source of fuel and could be found growing along farms and the edges of pieces of property. People with the last name Noelder could have been farmers living close to an elm tree. It could also have referred to someone who was involved in the forestry industry and may have been responsible for caring for elm trees in some capacity.
It was also likely that immigrants adopted this surname in a similar fashion as the original meaning. As people from the Germanic regions travelled around the world, they left behind their original surnames and adopted ones that reflected their new countries. For instance, some people who held the last name Noelder in the United States may have originally been from Germany.
The last name Noelder has been found in records dating as far back as the 16th century. Today, it is still a popular name in various parts of the world and can be found most frequently in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisNoelder: Where does the name Noelder come from?
The last name Noelder is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is an occupational name from the Dutch element 'noel' meaning 'Christmas' and 'dier', an archaic Dutch word for 'farmer'. It is most likely an occupational name for someone who dressed Christmas trees or harvested or sold Christmas greens in the winter.
Today, Noelders can mainly be found in the province of North Holland, and especially in the area surrounding the capital city, Amsterdam. Those with this surname are likely descended from Dutch rural farmers who lived and worked in the area for generations.
Outside of the Netherlands, the Noeler surname can be found in many parts of the world, including the US, Canada, and some parts of the Caribbean, likely due to Dutch immigration in the early 19th century. These families likely maintained the surname after they left the Netherlands in order to remain loyal to their cultural and family heritage.
Those with the Noelder surname may trace the family lineage back through several generations, as the Noelder surname has been passed down throughout the ages. Additionally, it's likely that distant relatives may still live in the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Noelder
The surname Noelder is an English name derived from the Old Norse personal name ‘Njalr’. Its variants include Noalder, Njalder, Noeler, Noeller, Noller, Noell and Nolle.
Noelder is most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland where it is frequently found in counties such as Lanarkshire and Antrim. It is believed to have arrived in Scotland during the second half of the 15th century with settlers from Norway.
The variants of Noelder are more frequently found in England, particularly where they are concentrated in the border areas such as Westmorland and Cumberland. It is also found in other parts of England such as Kent and Hertfordshire.
Njalder can also be found in other countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In Norway, it is often found as the patronymic name Njålersen.
In addition to Noelder, its variants and other spellings, there are several other surnames of the same origin. Nøhr, Nauls, Njölsen, Nielsen and Neilsen are common Danish and Norwegian variants of the name. In Germany, the surname is found as Neulder.
The variations in spelling and pronunciation may be due to phonetic variations across the centuries as well as local dialects and languages. The name Noelder and its variants can still be found across many countries and regions today, indicating its popularity and its continued use over centuries.
Famous people with the name Noelder
- Jokke Noelder, Norwegian singer and songwriter
- Allan Noelder, Canadian curler
- Ole Noelder, Norwegian middle-distance runner
- Kristian Noelder, Norwegian discus thrower
- Anton Noelder, German World War II sniper
- Tom Noelder, German fencer
- Jens Noelder, Norwegian alpine skier
- Frederik Noelder, Dutch footballer
- Florian Noelder, German football defender
- Tim Noelder, American professional baseball player