Surname Oldaker - Meaning and Origin
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Oldaker: What does the surname Oldaker mean?
The surname Oldaker is of Anglo-Saxon origin and believed to be derived from a nickname or occupational name. Old English "eald" means "old" and "acre" stands for "cultivated land", suggesting possible origins for the name: an old cultivator or farmer or a person who owned or worked on 'old fields'. The surname arose in England, most likely during or after the Norman invasion in 1066, when nicknames or profession-based names were common. The existence of different variants of the surname like "Oldacre" and "Oldaker" further towns in Warwickshire and Shropshire respectively named Oldacre, indicating the probable areas of origin. Like many surnames, over centuries, Oldaker has been subject to numerous spelling alterations influenced by phonetic changes and regional dialects.
Order DNA origin analysisOldaker: Where does the name Oldaker come from?
The last name Oldaker is found mostly in the United States, but it can also be found in other English speaking countries including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The United States is where the most Oldaker individuals and families are found, with the highest concentration in the Atlantic coast states of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In these states, the surname has its roots in German and British ancestry.
In the 19th century, waves of German immigrants brought the Oldaker name to the Eastern Seaboard. Most of these immigrants had some connection to Germany’s Rhineland. Over time, the Oldaker name spread outward into the other states, with the most Oldaker individuals located in Pennsylvania.
Though immigrants from Germany have been largely responsible for the spread of the Oldaker name, it is known to have British origins as well. The earliest known Oldaker ancestor, John Oldaker, was born in England in 1567. It is believed that this family was one of the many English settlers to immigrate to America in the 1600s.
Today, the Oldaker name is found in all fifty states of the United States. While the last name has its roots in Germany and England, it is no longer exclusive to those countries. Its prevalence in the United States is testament to the successful integration of German and English heritage into one population.
Variations of the surname Oldaker
Oldaker is a unique Anglo-Saxon surname that originates from England. It was first found in the county of Essex where the Oldaker family lived. The earliest records of the name date back to the 12th century and suggest the family was involved in the manorial system of England.
One variant spelling of Oldaker is Oldacre. This spelling variation likely arose due to a mistake in record keeping during the medieval period. There is also an Oldaker variant in Scotland that is spelled Oldaker. This spelling variant is likely from the Gaelic influenced forms of the name.
There are a few additional variant spellings to Oldaker. Some of these variants include Oldacker, Oldicar, Oldicker, and Oldakar. All of these variants of Oldaker likely originated from a combination of English and French influences.
The various surnames derived from Oldaker are slightly less common than the variants but can still be found. Some of these surnames include Oldage, Oldine, and Oldouse. In addition, some of the Oldaker variants might have also been recorded as separate surnames including Oldackar, Oldicar, and Oldicker.
Finally, some Oldaker families may have taken on different surnames over time, with some including Hover, Olden, and Ollaker. With all of these spellings, variants, and surnames, it is likely that Oldaker is one of the oldest surnames in England.
Famous people with the name Oldaker
- Mark Oldaker: Former executive director of the Adam Smith Institute and the former Deputy Chief of Staff at 10 Downing Street.
- Wallace Oldaker: British musician known for his involvement with bands such as The Human League, Fun Boy Three, B.E.F. and ABC.
- Jeffrey Oldaker: Award-winning American film editor, who has worked on films like Jurassic Park, So I Married An Axe Murderer and Big.
- Bill Oldaker: Championship-winning stock car driver and former President of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).
- Spenser Oldaker: Award-winning music producer and songwriter, who has worked with artists including Dolly Parton, John Mayer and Kenny Rogers.
- Chris Oldaker: Award-winning cinematographer, who has worked on features such as The Tree of Life, Gravity and Noah.
- Thomas Oldaker: Award-winning film director and producer, who has worked on projects such as The Judge and Spy Game.
- Matthew Oldaker: Professional animator and designer, who has worked on projects including The Lion King, The Incredibles and Monsters University.
- Edward Oldaker: Film director and producer, who has released films such as The Prince & Me, The Awakening and Sinbad of the Seven Seas.
- Jason Oldaker: American author and screenwriter, best known for his popular novel The Darkest Minds.