Surname VanGilder - Meaning and Origin
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VanGilder: What does the surname VanGilder mean?
The last name VanGilder is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word 'vangild', meaning 'tribute money' or 'protection money.' In North America, the surname VanGilder is found most often in Pennsylvania, and while many immigrants may have originated from the Netherlands, it could also have been acquired in one of the other Dutch-speaking countries in Europe such as Belgium or Germany. It is also possible that its roots go back to Ancient Germanic or Scandinavian cultures; in those ancient times, tribute was sometimes required to secure a safe passage and/or allowance to settle in a particular region.
Today, the surname VanGilder is scattered throughout North America and Europe; from the United States to the Netherlands and Australia, VanGilder is a common last name. Generally, the VanGilder family believes in strong family values and traditions. There is often a strong sense of loyalty and duty amongst family members which contributes to their sense of community.
The VanGilder family is often known for its hospitality and friendliness. This is likely connected to their Dutch roots, as the Dutch are traditionally a very welcoming and hospitable people. They also tend to take great pride in their origins and customs, and will be happy to share their stories of how their family came to carry such an interesting last name.
Order DNA origin analysisVanGilder: Where does the name VanGilder come from?
The last name VanGilder is most common in the United States, particularly in the Northeast region. Most people bearing the surname trace their roots to Dutch immigrants who settled in this region in the 1600s and 1700s. Many descendants of these original settlers still live in the area today, with the largest concentrations of people bearing the VanGilder name in Pennsylvania and New York.
According to surname statistics from the US Census Bureau, the VanGilder name is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. In these states, the name is spread out across both rural and urban areas. VanGilders have also settled in other states across the United States, but the name is less common outside the Northeast region.
The surname VanGilder is thought to be derived from the Dutch words "van" and "gilder", which mean "from” and “goldsmith” respectively. This suggests that the first coat of arms of the VanGilder family may have depicted a goldsmith at work, though unfortunately no such designs still exist.
Today, people with the VanGilder surname are spread across the United States and beyond. The VanGilder name has been adopted by those of other nationalities too, so it can be seen in countries around the world.
Variations of the surname VanGilder
VanGilder is a surname of Dutch origin that can be found in both the United States and Canada. Variants of VanGilder include Van Gelderen, Gelderen, Van Gilder, Gilder, and Gilders. It is likely that these surnames had a common ancestor somewhere in the Netherlands.
The VanGilder surname can be traced to the Dutch province of Gelderland and translates to "man of the money," indicating that the initial bearer of the surname was a moneylender or banker. It is believed that the surname likely came to America through Dutch settlers who arrived with the first such colony in 1624. It is possible that the Dutch founders of the municipalities of Gelderland, New York may have been carrying this surname.
Variations in spelling can further complicate the search for someone bearing a VanGilder surname, especially when one's research ranges across continental Europe and North America. The spellings Gilders, Gelderen, Gingledor, Gengeler and Gilder may all have been used at one point or another. The Gilders and Van Gelderen variants also extend across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Overall, the VanGilder surname is an evolving name and requires special attention when researching family lineages. Different variants may reveal new information in the family tree when trying to establish the connections between different branches of the same family. By examining all its variations, spellings and variants, researchers can hopefully uncover the links between families bearing this surname from multiple regions.
Famous people with the name VanGilder
- Mary VanGilder: a former American swimmer and four-time Olympic medalist.
- Leonard VanGilder: a former American baseball player in the Major League Baseball.
- Seth VanGilder: an American professional baseball pitcher who played in the Minor League Baseball.
- Jesse VanGilder: an American professional cyclist who won multiple National Championships and competed for the USA's National Team.
- Victor VanGilder: a former professional track & field athlete and World Champion.
- Saul VanGilder: an American former professional tennis player.
- Carol VanGilder: an American photographer and journalist.
- Scott VanGilder: an American professional golfer who currently competes on various mini-tours.
- Iris VanGilder: an American professional dancer and choreographer.
- Justin VanGilder: an American professional football coach and offensive coordinator.