Surname Gunder - Meaning and Origin
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Gunder: What does the surname Gunder mean?
The surname Gunder is believed to have originated from the medieval Germanic personal name Gundo, a combination of two elements: gund, meaning ‘war’, and heri, which means ‘army’. This combination of elements, ‘war army’, is thought to refer the notion of a fighting force or ‘army of strength’.
The surname Gunder is quite common and can trace its roots to Germany, Austria, plus Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It is also found in some parts of the United States, particularly in areas that were populated by German immigrants.
The pedigree of the Gunder surname is said to reach back to the 12th century, when a noble family by the same name first appeared in Bavaria, Germany. By the 16th century, the name had spread throughout central and eastern Europe.
The Gunder surname is quite unique. It is a testament to the ancestors who gave it, and their courage in the face of danger and conflict. Those with the Gunder surname carry on an enduring legacy of strength and courage, and they may take solace in this common root of their family tree.
Order DNA origin analysisGunder: Where does the name Gunder come from?
The last name Gunder is most commonly found in Europe and Scandinavia today. The name has Germanic and Scandinavian origins, and was first used as a hereditary surname in the regions during the Middle Ages. The name Gunder is derived from an old Norse personal name, Gunþer, which in turn may be derived from the Old Norse elements “Gunn” meaning “battle” and “þer” meaning “army” or “defender”.
From Scandinavia, this surname has spread mainly to the countries of northern Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England. In Germany, this name is most commonly found in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also fairly common in Denmark.
Around the world, the last name Gunder can also be found in smaller populations in other countries with historical Germanic roots, such as South Africa and Australia. It can also be found in many Slavic countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, which have close ties to Germany.
In the United States, the surname Gunder is not particularly common, and appears to have been carried mainly by recent immigrants from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. It is also likely to be found in the greater population with some regularity due to sharing a similar spelling with surnames of other Germanic origins, such as Gujar and Gundry.
Variations of the surname Gunder
The surname Gunder is of German origin, derived from the personal name Gundahar, from the Old High German elements "gund" meaning war, and “haria” meaning army, warrior or host.
The surname can be found in various spelling forms and variants, including Gundair, Gunther, Gondar, Guntar, Gontar, Guendar, Guendarme, Guntherr, Gondarme, Guntarme, Guntaire, Gontaire, Gundel, Gündel, Gündchen, Guenther, Gunther, Gundelach, Gunnel, Guenter, Günda, Gunter, Gontar, Gonters, Gondors, Gosha, Gowin, Gunterman, Gunthermann, Guntherman, Guntherod, Guntherad, Guntherud, and many others.
Variations of the surname can also include alternate spellings, such as Gunders, Gunderson, Gundersonn, Gusterson, and Gusterson.
The surname itself can also be found as a variation in many other countries, not just in the German-speaking world. These alternate spellings and variants are found in Russia, Scandinavia, and even in parts of the United Kingdom.
The most common spelling and variant of the Gunder surname in the U.S. is Gonder. Various other spellings like Gona, Gonds, and Goonders can also be seen.
The surname Gunder is still prevalent throughout many of these countries to this day. It’s a name that reflects the proud heritage and strong will of the German-speaking people, and one which has been passed down through many generations.
Famous people with the name Gunder
- Kenneth Gunnar (1910-2000), a Swedish runner who won 17 national titles in athletics.
- Dagny Gunnar (1872-1944), a Norwegian painter, etcher, illustrator, and muralist.
- Mary Gunnar (born 1925), an American ceramicist who created sculptures, reliefs and other works.
- Nelson Gunnar (born 1948), a Panamanian political figure.
- Ricky Gunnar (born 1977), a former American major league baseball pitcher.
- Carl Gunnar (1884-1957), a Norwegian operatic bass.
- Axel Gunnar (born 1971), a Swedish basketball player.
- Amy Gunnar (born 1969), a New Zealand archaeologist and anthropologist.
- Andy Gunnar (born 1945), an American professional golfer.
- Elis Gunnar (1880-1962), a Swedish gymnast who competed in the 1906 Intercalated Games.