Alder Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Alder Origin:

England

Origins of Alder:

The origin of this unusual surname originally evolved from Anglo-Saxon and had two specific possible origins. The first origin of the surname may derive from two Olde English pre 7th Century personal names, Ealdhere or Aethelhere, a combination of the components “eald,” which means old, ancient or “aethel,” which means noble, gentle, with the word “here,” which means army. The old name appears in Aldersey, Cheshire, and is listed as “Aldrisey” in 1284, and converted as “the river estate (Olde English, e.g.,”) of Ealdhere.” The regions are named as Alderton in Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, and Wiltshire, introduced ultimately as “Aldritone, Aldritone” and “Aldrintone” in the Domesday Book of the year 1086 for the above divisions. Also, they have “Ealdhere” as their basic component, and “ing,” which means people of, and “tun,” which means arrangement or residence. The second origin may be that Alder is of a geographical origin from an apartment by alder trees, acquiring from the Olde English “alor,” alder(s). Geographical Surnames were previously developed, in both original style as easily identifiable names in the small areas of the Middle Ages. Previous examples of the surname consist of John atte Alre in Somerset in 1327, and Alexander Aldre(s), in Warwickshire in 1332. Richard Alder, a first traveler to the New World, recorded on a poll of those inhabitants in Virginia in February in the year 1623.

Variations:

More common variations are: Allder, Yalder, Aldera, Alderi, Aulder, Aldeir, Aldero, Aldery, Ahlder, Aldere.

England:

The origins of the surname Alder found in Edinburghshire, an old division, now part of the Midlothian council region where people held a family seat from early times. Some say better before the success of Normans and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings1066 A.D.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Ralph de Alre, dated about 1221, in the “Curia Regis Rolls of Berkshire.” It was during the time of King Henry III who was known to be the “The Frenchman,” dated 1216 – 1272. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varietions of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the people with name Alder had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Alder settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Alder who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Richard Alder arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624. Henry, James, William and Mar Alder, all landed in Maryland respectively in the years 1653, 1657, 1663 and 1671.

Some of the people with the surname Alder who settled in the United States in the 18th century included Johannes Alder and Fred Alder; both arrived in Pennsylvania respectively in the years 1749 and 1765.

The following century saw much more Alder surnames come. Some of the people with the surname Alder who settled in the United States in the 19th century included P Alder settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847. A Alder landed in San Francisco, California in 1851.

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Alder who settled in Australia in the 19th century included Thomas Alder arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Isabella Watson” in 1846.

New-Zealand:

Some of the people with the surname Alder who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included Samuel Alder arrived in Nelson, New-Zealand in 1840. Samuel Alder and Cecilia Alder, both arrived in Nelson aboard the same ship “Sir Charles Forbes” in the same year in 1842. George Alder landed in Wellington, New-Zealand aboard the ship “Adelaide” in 1858.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Alder: United States 4,452; England 3,458; Australia 947; Canada 542; South Africa 566; Germany 1,009; New-Zealand 192; Paraguay 397; Switzerland 1,206; Brazil 270.

Notable People:

Esther Alder (born 1958), was a Swiss leader.

Fred Alder (1889–1960), was an Australian rules football player.

Henry Alder (1874–1949), was an Australian rules football player.

John C. Alder (born 1944), was an English singer famous as “Twink.”

Jonathan Alder (1773–1849), was an American leader.

Joshua Alder (1792–1867), was a British biologist.

Kurt Alder (1902–58), was a German expert in chemistry.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: None. Blazon: Gules three crescents ermine and bordure engrailed argent. Crest—A griffin’s head gules.