Surname Sauder - Meaning and Origin

Sauder: What does the surname Sauder mean?

The surname Sauder is of German origin and it appears to be an occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "suter," which means "one who sews" or "shoemaker". Therefore, it was most likely originally borne by individuals who were tailors or shoemakers by trade. Over time, it has evolved into various forms and spellings, including Suter, Sutter, and Sauder, among others. Like many surnames, it initially served to help distinguish individuals by their profession. Today, however, it is primarily used for family identification purposes. It is most common in the European regions where German is spoken.

Sauder: Where does the name Sauder come from?

The last name Sauder is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. This name is of Germanic origin, derived from a blend of Sauer and Dörfer, meaning “sour village” or “sour place”.

In the United States, the name is most commonly recorded in the Midwest and Pennsylvania. Historically, many people in this region had Germanic roots, and the name is derived from this. As such, it's likely that many of the first bearers of the name Sauder were immigrants from Germany. Records of the name have been found in the United States since the mid-1700s.

In Canada, the name is also widespread. According to the 2011 Canadian census, distributed across Canada from east to west: 33% lived in Ontario, 32% in Saskatchewan, 11% in Alberta, 4% in British Columbia, 4% in Manitoba, 4% in Quebec and 6% in the four Atlantic Provinces.

Despite its Germanic roots, the name Sauder is now common throughout the United States and Canada. It originated as a single family’s name, and has come to represent a widespread community that spans two countries, all thanks to the family’s ancestors’ journey across the sea.

Variations of the surname Sauder

The surname Sauder is a variant of the German surname 'Sauder', which is derived from the Middle High German word sauter, meaning 'one who saws'. This surname is sometimes spelled as Sauter, Sauterau, Soder, Soutter, and Sonders.

The various spellings of the name Sauder reflects regional variations in pronunciation and assimilation of foreign influence into the language which could have originated from the time of the Germanic migration in the second century.

Sauder is a surname that is most commonly found in Germany and Switzerland, although its variants can be found in countries such as France, Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States.

In America, the spelling of Sauder is found most often in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Here, the variant Sutter is the most prevalent, followed by Soder and Sauter. In other parts of America, like Louisiana and Mississippi, the variants Soler and Sonders are found most commonly. In the northern part of the US, particularly in New York, the Sonders spelling is also found.

The, variants Suter, Soyer, and Soyers, are most commonly found in Canada, where the Germanic-speaking Swiss Anabaptists settled in the 18th century. Additionally, the variants Saulder and Sawer are both found in the British Isles, particularly in England and Wales.

Overall, the surname Sauder and its variants is found all throughout Europe and its former colonies. Its numerous phonetic variants and regional spellings mark a long history of migration and assimilation of different cultural and linguistic traditions.

Famous people with the name Sauder

• Kenneth Sauder: An American actor best known for his role as Tony in the hit ABC sitcom, Step by Step.
• Lorilee Sauder: A Canadian singer-songwriter best known for her albums Joyful Noise, The Word and From the Grove.
• Carolyn Sauder: A well-known American interior designer and author of several books, including Home Furnishings the Professional Way and Designing with Style.
• Isaac Sauder: A philanthropist from Pennsylvania who has donated millions of dollars to dozens of organizations over the past few decades.
• Lanita Sauder: The wife of American businessman and former Ohio State Treasurer, Kevin L. Boyce.
• Ed Sauder: An American entrepreneur and co-founder of The Sauder Companies, a furniture manufacturing company.
• Tamara Sauder: A professional lacrosse player who plays for the Long Island Sound in the United Women’s Lacrosse League.
• Mark Sauder: A veteran American voice-over actor known for his roles in notable television series, such as The Love Boat, Good Times, and Street Hawk.
• Mike Sauder: A professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a leading expert in the study of economic inequality and labor markets.
• Martha Sauder: A prominent American architect and one of the founding members of the American Institute of Architects.

Other surnames

Sauders