Surname Olden - Meaning and Origin
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Olden: What does the surname Olden mean?
The surname Olden is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "ealdra", meaning elder. It was used as a term of respect and seniority, referring to people who held a high position or status within a community or group. Over time, it evolved into a topographical surname, adopted by individuals living or working in an "old house" or "old land". It is also said that the name could have come from the Middle English word "old", referring to someone's advanced age. As last names often reflected a person's occupation, personal characteristics, or geographic location, an individual may have gotten the last name Olden for being elderly, residing in an old house, or managing old lands. Variations of the name include Alden, Old, Older, and Ould. As with other surnames, its exact origins and meanings may vary and depend on the specific lineage and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisOlden: Where does the name Olden come from?
The last name Olden can be found around the world, with some of the highest concentrations being in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, the Olden name is most commonly found in Florida, Tennessee and Maryland. Most of these Oldens are descendants of African slaves who settled in the southeast of America. On the other hand, the majority of the Oldens in Canada, come from the Netherlands or North German immigrants who fled to Canada in the 19th century.
In the UK, geographically speaking, the most likely place to find the Olden name is southern England. This is due to the fact that numerous families came to England from Normandy and adopted the Olden name.
Although this name is largely concentrated in these three countries, the Oldens have spread their wings and the surname can be found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and even parts of South Africa.
Altogether, the Oldens could be considered a global family, each member rightfully able to say they come from a long line of respected, hard-working individuals, who have built families and carved out their rightful place in society.
Variations of the surname Olden
The surname Olden has many variants and spellings, and these can be easily traced to different cultures and languages from around the world. In English, Olden is often spelled Oldon, Oldin, Oldon, Oldyn, Oldine, Ollden, or Olldine. In Dutch, German, and Scandinavian languages the spelling changes to Oldemeije, Oldemeijer, and Oldenhof. No matter where the name is found, all of these spellings stem from the same origin—the personal name Uldin.
The personal name Uldin is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from Old English Uldwine meaning "old friend". Variations of this name would have been in use during the Middle Ages, eventually working their way up into use as a surname. As a result, generations of Oldens can trace their root name Uldin to an ancestor who carried it during this time.
Other surnames that stem from Uldin, though not necessarily connected to the Olden surname, are Holdin, Holdon, Holden, Oldham, Olding, Ulding, Uldine, Uldin, and Uldwin. The same root name, Uldin or Uldwine, is also found in other languages and cultures, often as a part of given names. In French it is spelled Ultenne or Oldene; in Italian it is Ultene, and in Spanish it is Uldano.
Though Olden and all of its variants and spellings may not all be directly related to the same family, it can be certain that every instance of these names will share a common origin—the Anglo-Saxon personal name Uldin.
Famous people with the name Olden
- Lanna Olden: Finnish cross-country skier
- Carlos Olden: American actor
- Peter Olden: Australian politician
- Kristin Olden: American soccer player
- Carl Olden: British film and television actor
- Karl-Heinz Olden: German footballer
- Elder Olden: American football player
- Sylvia Olden Lee: American soprano
- Sanne Olden: Dutch rower
- John Olden Kaveda: American football player
- Tod Olden: American baseball player
- Brad Olden: Canadian ice hockey player
- Milton Olden: Puerto Rican baseball player
- Alex Olden: Canadian film and television actor