Surname Molders - Meaning and Origin
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Molders: What does the surname Molders mean?
The last name Molders is of German origin, generally associated with the names Molder, Mueller, and Muller. It is derived from the German word "mulder," which means "councilor" or "man of importance." As such, it was commonly used to refer to important people and officials, particularly in the Middle Ages.
The name Molders was also used as an occupational name for millers and masons. It was also used for individuals who lived in or near a mill. As such, it is not uncommon to find people with the last name Molders who live near an area with a mill or have an ancestral relationship with millers or masons.
Given its frequent association with important officials and the trades of millers and masons, the last name Molders often connotes a sense of historical importance, skill and expertise. Additionally, the surname has been used as a given name in both Germany and the United States.
Today, Molders serves as a respectable, recognizable surname, tenaciously Basque, Dutch, and German roots. It is a name fit for those hoping to establish a legacy of distinction, skill, and expertise.
Order DNA origin analysisMolders: Where does the name Molders come from?
Today, the last name Molders is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentration in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. It is believed to have originated there in the 1500s, though it may also have French or Dutch origins. Interestingly, if the name is spelled Mölders, with the umlaut, it is significantly more common and has roots in the Dutch language. In fact, in the Netherlands, the Mölders family is still quite prominent, with many people bearing the name still living there today.
Elsewhere, the name is relatively uncommon though it can also be found distributed around Northern Europe, including Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. There have been several other prominent figures in history who bore the Molders name, most notably German World War II ace Hans-Joachim Molders, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
In the United States, the last name is much less common and there are only a few thousand people with the last name Molders. That said, it can be found scattered throughout the country, primarily in the Northeastern and Midwestern states, with some also present in California.
Variations of the surname Molders
The surname Molders is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word moltster or the Low German mouldes which means miller. It is an occupational name for someone who worked in a mill as a miller.
The surname Molders is common in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France, and the variations of the name include Molder, Moeller, Müller and Mueller. Additionally, additional regional variations of the surname Molders exist, such as Molter in Austria and Switzerland, Moltert in Alsace, and Molderet in France.
Molder is the most common variant of the surname Molders. The variant is found all across Germany and the Netherlands. It is also often spelled as Molder and sometimes as Molders.
Moeller is the Dutch form of the surname Molders. It is the second-most common variant of the surname and is found primarily in the Western parts of Germany. It is often spelled as Mohler, Möller, Moler, Muller, Mueller, Miller, Molter, and Moltert.
Müller is the German variant of the surname Molders. It is the third-most common variant of the surname in Germany and the Netherlands. It is often spelled as Mueller, Miller, and Molter.
In the Northeastern parts of Germany, the surname Molders is often spelled as Molterer, Molderer or Mölderer.
In the French regions of Alsace and Lorraine, the surname Molders is often spelled as Molderet or Moltert. Meanwhile, in Austria and Switzerland the variant Molter is common.
Famous people with the name Molders
- Ludwig Molders: He was a German World War II flying ace who scored 212 victories, the highest total for any pilot of the war.
- Veronika Molders: Veronika Molders is a former Olympic swimmer from Germany. She competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in the 200 metre individual medley and 4×100 metre medley relay.
- Ute Molders: Ute Molders is a German writer and singer. She is best known for her songs “Rosen im Park” and “Ich leb’ allein”.
- Martha Molders: Martha Molders is a former German dancer. She was a principal dancer with the Hamburg Ballet and was featured in various productions during her tenure there.
- Dieter Molders: Dieter Molders is a former German footballer. He played as a defender and won several awards in the German Bundesliga during his career.
- Ingrid Molders: Ingrid Molders is a German actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series "Friedliche Zeiten," "Freddy Breck," and "Fuchs und Gans."
- Johann Molders: Johann Molders was a German sculptor and painter, most famous for his marble statue of Goethe. The work was commissioned by Goethe’s great friend, the prince-bishop of Mainz.
- Bernhard Molders: Bernhard Molders is a German classical composer and conductor. He has composed several symphonies, operas, and chamber music.