Surname Waldert - Meaning and Origin
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Waldert: What does the surname Waldert mean?
The last name Waldert is of German origin and is derived from a word meaning “forest guard”. The surname likely originated in Germany during the Middle Ages, when those living and working in the forests of Germany and the surrounding areas were given the title “Waldert” or forest guard. This was likely a very important position within a community, as the forest guard was responsible for protecting and managing the resources and wildlife within the forest.
The name could also have been derived from a given name, Wald, which was derived from the Old High German element “wald” or “waldarin” meaning “ruler of the forest”. An alternate source of the name could be the Old High German word “waldari”, which means "forest dweller".
Today, the name Waldert is mostly found throughout northern Europe, with the highest concentrations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, although less frequently.
Overall, the surname Waldert is derived from the German word meaning “forest guard”, often designated to someone charged with the care of the forest and its resources. It could also have been derived from an old German given name, Wald, which means “ruler of the forest”. The name is now found throughout northern Europe and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisWaldert: Where does the name Waldert come from?
The last name Waldert is most commonly encountered in the United States and Germany, although it can also be found in other countries, such as France, England, Sweden, Italy, and Austria. In the United States, the Walderts are primarily concentrated along the east coast, particularly in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Germany, most members of the Waldert surname are found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin. In addition, there are small pockets of Walderts scattered throughout areas of France, England, Sweden, Italy, and Austria.
In the United States, the Walderts tend to be descended from German-speaking immigrants who moved to the United States in the 19th century in search of religious and economic freedom. That said, records indicate that the surname Waldert was used occasionally even before this wave of immigration. In Germany, the origin of the Waldert surname may be traced to the Middle High German term waltreht, which means "ruler of the woods."
The Waldert name is now found all throughout the world, though most of its original concentrations remain in the United States and Germany.
Variations of the surname Waldert
The surname Waldert is of Germanic origin and has a variety of spellings and variants. These include Walder, Walderd, Walderde, Waldler, Waldor, Walders, Waldersd, Waldersde, Waldr, Waldor and Walderston. Whether a person with this name is native to Germany, Austria, or some other area of Europe is uncertain.
Walder is the oldest variant of this surname, with the earliest recorded use of this spelling occurring in the late middle ages. This variant is most common in Germany, where it is still widespread today. Walderd and Walderde likely originated as nicknames for somebody who lived close to or within the boundaries of a particular forest. Waldler is derived from the German word for ‘wood’ and is mainly found in northern Germanic countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands.
Waldor is a less common variant of the surname Waldert, which is primarily found in Sweden. Walders and its variants, which are composed of the prefix ‘wal’ and the suffix ‘ers’, refer to somebody who was employed as a type of ‘wood worker’ or ‘woodcutter’.
Finally, Waldr, Waldor and Walderston are modern variations and alterations to the surname. These variants are generally found in North America, most likely a result of immigration from Europe during the late 19th century.
Overall, the surname Waldert is a name of Germanic origin with a wide variety of spellings and variants, making it difficult to trace the exact origin of any given individual.
Famous people with the name Waldert
- Stevie Waldert: American dancer and choreographer
- Christopher Waldert: former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark
- Oscar Waldert: German chemist
- Carolina Waldert: Venezuelan artist and sculptor
- Dave Waldert: former NFL player
- Jackie Waldert: American actress
- Louis Waldert: German actor
- Kenny Waldert: professional bull rider
- Waldert Vannom: Austrian composer
- Hans Waldert: German painter and sculptor