Surname Selder - Meaning and Origin

Selder: What does the surname Selder mean?

The last name Selder is of German origin and is found mainly in the countries of Germany and the Netherlands. The name is derived from an occupational name for a sower or planter. This name was likely adopted by a family whose ancestor was involved in planting.

The earliest record of a Selder appears in 13th century Germany in a census. The name is also seen in several of the documents of the Reformation Movement. Over time, during migration, the last name was spread to various parts of Europe and the United States.

The Selders are a proud family that has a history of strong work ethics and loyalty to their homeland. Today, Selders are found in Germany and throughout the United States. Those who bear the name are likely to be hardworking and resourceful individuals. Many Selders have gone on to become entrepreneurs, doctors, and lawyers.

Selder is a unique surname, and those that carry it are bound by the same values and connected by a shared history that reaches back centuries. Despite its lengthy and varied background, the name still carries weight and speaks of a shared heritage among the many generations of Selders.

Selder: Where does the name Selder come from?

The last name Selder is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and United States. Selder is a Dutch/Flemish/Frisian surname from the German/Yiddish word selder, meaning elder or elderberry. This surname is thought to have been first used to designate the oldest or most experienced family members.

The Netherlands is the country of origin for the surname Selder. In 2018, more than 1,300 people with the last name Selder lived in the Netherlands, making it the 37th most common surname in the country. Estimates suggest that over the last 100 years, the population of Selder families has declined in the Netherlands.

In Belgium, the surname Selder was the 250th most popular name in 2018, with nearly 800 bearers. This is the same position it occupied in 2008.

In Germany, estimates suggest there were roughly 1,200 people with the Selder surname living in the country in 2018. This surname has seen a slight increase in popularity over the last two decades, with more than double the number of people with the surname Selder living in Germany in 2018 than in 1998.

In the United States, the surname Selder was the 21,452nd most popular name in 2018. The population of Selders in the US increased from approximately 200 individuals in the late 1980s to more than 1,000 in 2018. The most common state for people with the Selder name is California.

Variations of the surname Selder

The surname Selder has numerous variants, spellings, and derivatives of the same origin. The most common variants are Selders, Seller, Sellers, Sellenger, Cellers, Cellar, Sellar, and Cellarman. These variants stem from the old English word "cellar", which is an alternative term for a warehouse or place for storage. In this case, the spelling Selder is associated with German surnames from the Middle Ages.

The spelling Sellers evolved from the Middle English sceldere, likely first appearing as Sellors in the 13th century. It was a term used for someone who sells, which was a profession in the Middle Ages. Selders was derived from the Middle Dutch word seldeler, which also has the same meaning. Over time, the spelling Sellers became Selders, as it was seen in the early Flemish records.

Sellenger is a variant that first appears in the 15th century, derived from the Middle English selengere, which means a peddler. Cellers was derived from the Latin cellerarius, which means someone who works in the cellar or was in charge of it. Cellarman is another variant, derived from the same Latin term. Sellar and Cellar developed out of the Germanic sellere, which refers to a shopkeeper.

It appears that all these variants, spellings and surnames of Selder have similar origins in Middle English, Middle Dutch, Middle Germanic, and Latin roots. All these variants refer to a shopkeeper, peddler, or someone in charge of storage or a cellar.

Famous people with the name Selder

• Anna Selders: Singer & Actor
• George Seldes: Journalist & Author
• Martin Seldes: Actor & Producer
• John Selders III: Actor
• Lauren Selders: Attorney
• Peter Seldes: Actor
• Brian Selders: Baseball Player
• Chris Selder: Hockey Player
• Bill Selder: Football Player
• Elizabeth Selders: Artist & Educator

Other surnames

Seldenreich