Surname Mulder - Meaning and Origin
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Mulder: What does the surname Mulder mean?
The last name Mulder is a Dutch surname, derived from the Dutch word ‘muldener’ or ‘mul’, meaning miller. This profession refers to someone who operates a grain mill, similar to what we today refer to as a miller. This was a very important occupation in Medieval Europe as the production of flour was essential to daily life.
The Mulder family origin can be traced back as far as 1369, when Jan Matysse Mulder was a miller in Amsterdam. Traditionally, millers were a respected part of society and often had good standing and reputation. They were seen as inventors and as important agents of change and progress.
Although the Mulder surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands, it has also spread to other countries and continents with immigration. This is evidenced in the cases of military personnel carrying the Mulder name in Germany during World War II, or immigrants bearing the name in South Africa, Australia, and the United States.
The Mulder family legacy is one of hard work, progress, and innovation. It is a strong heritage that has been carried down through the generations, with each generation taking pride in its days as millers and innovators. The surname Mulder stands as a reminder of the industry and resourcefulness of our ancestors that shaped the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisMulder: Where does the name Mulder come from?
The last name Mulder is most commonly found in the Netherlands. According to the genealogical website Geni, people with the surname Mulder came to the Netherlands during the 16th century, during the Dutch Golden Age.
Today, the surname Mulder is still widespread throughout the Netherlands. It is most common in the western and northern regions of the country, particularly in the provinces of North and South Holland, Gelderland, Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Zeeland, Flevoland, Utrecht, Overijssel and Noord-Brabant. The Netherlands also has some of the largest Mulder populations in European countries outside of the Netherlands.
Interestingly, the name Mulder is also common in other countries of northern Europe, including Germany and Sweden, where its roots can be traced back to Dutch settlers or immigrants who moved to these countries in the 19th century and early 20th century. In Germany, the name is usually spelled as Müller, which is the German variation of the Dutch Mulder.
In the United States, people with the surname Mulder are descendants of Dutch immigrants or Dutch Afrikaners who moved to the US during the mid-17th century. The surname is also found among some Scandinavian, German, French and Belgian families.
Overall, the last name Mulder is a particularly common Dutch surname, though its roots are found throughout northern Europe, and can even be traced outside of Europe to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Mulder
The surname Mulder is a Dutch patronymic surname, derived from the given name ‘Mulder’, which is derived from the Old German ‘molt’ or ‘molta’ meaning, “counsel”. It is a common surname across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, with variants or similar surnames, such as Müller/Mueller, Mol, and DeMol.
The spelling of the surname is almost consistent across all languages, Mulder, however, variations of the surname are present in some cultures. These may also be seen as spelling variations or misspellings.
In Dutch, the surname Mulder could also be seen as Molenaar, which is the Dutch spelling for Miller. This name could also be seen as Mol, which is an abbreviation of Molenaar.
In German, the surname could be written as Müller (or Mueller). This is due to German’s umlaut, which is a diacritical mark used to transcribe words of non-German origin.
In French, the surname could be written as Mauler. This is the French equivalent of the Dutch Mulder.
In the United States, the surname is sometimes transcribed with an e at the end, thus rendering the surname as Muldere. The Americanised version of the surname can also be written as Miller, which is the English equivalent to the German Müller.
Due to Mulder’s prevalence in northern Europe, it is also found in other countries throughout the region. In South Africa, the surname is sometimes anglicised to Moulder and in Sweden, the surname is sometimes seen as Molander.
In summary, the spelling of Mulder is almost consistent across all languages, however distinct variations and spellings exist based on cultural differences. Variants such as Mol, Mueller, Moulder, Molander, and Mauler, are all derived from the same origin as Mulder.
Famous people with the name Mulder
- Fox Mulder: the main character in the sci-fi show "The X-Files".
- Daphne Mulder: Dutch politician and member of the Liberal Party
- Dirk Mulder: Dutch board member of the Groningen Gasfield Confirmation Committee
- Barry Mulder: American actor and theater director
- Joyce Mulder: Dutch former swimmer and Olympian
- Kees Mulder: Dutch sculptor and painter
- Jonathan Mulder: Dutch skater and gold medalist from the 2016 World Championships in Short Track Speed Skating
- Breeda Mulder: 25 year old Dutch singer-songwriter
- Richard Mulder: British journalist and author
- Mike Mulder: American artist, inventor and entrepreneur