Surname Mulders - Meaning and Origin
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Mulders: What does the surname Mulders mean?
The last name Mulders is of Dutch origin, indicating that the bearer of the name has familial roots in the Netherlands. The name itself has two primary meanings: either a place of milling grain, or simply someone who works a mill. Historically, the name may have referred to either someone who owned a mill or someone who worked in the milling industry.
In its simplest form, the name Mulders is derived from the Dutch adjective Mulder, which translates as 'miller.' The word likely came from Dutch Molen, meaning 'mill,' in reference to either someone who owned a mill or worked in the milling industry. Over time, the word then evolved to Mulder, which was then attached to given names, thus resulting in the current surname of Mulders.
Mulders is a relatively widespread name, originating primarily from the northern provinces of the Netherlands. Folklore tells of a mill in Belgium, which was once under the ownership of a Mulders family. The name is also found in records in the United Kingdom and United States, where it is mostly associated with people of Dutch heritage who immigrated centuries ago.
Today, Mulders is still an oft-used surname within the Dutch-speaking world, and continues to be a source of national pride for those who carry it. With its rich history and cultural significance, Mulders is sure to remain a prominent surname for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMulders: Where does the name Mulders come from?
The last name Mulders is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany today. It derives from a Dutch word meaning "miller", likely referring to a family who were millers by profession or were originally from a town with a mill.
The Netherlands and Belgium are two countries which share a border and are both part of the Low Countries. Together they form what is known as the Benelux region: Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It is likely that the Mulders family originated in the Benelux region, and their last name is still found in these countries today.
In the Netherlands, the Mulders family is particularly common in the province of Noord-Brabant. This area is well known for its forests and green meadows, along with its city of Eindhoven, the "city of light" due to its status as a leader in the tech sector. In Eindhoven, there is a street named Muldersstraat, after the local Mulders family.
In Germany, the Mulders family is especially common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This area, situated in the western part of the country, is known for its heavy industry and manufacturing.
The Mulders last name is not as common in other parts of the world, although there have been some cases of the name popping up in small numbers in the United States, Australia, and other countries. Despite this, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany remain the most popular countries for the Mulders name.
Variations of the surname Mulders
Muller is the German variant, and its alternative spellings are Miller, Muller, Mullers, Millers, and Mueler.
Muller is an occupational surname commonly found among German-speaking populations across the world, derived from the Latin word "molinario", which means "miller". The several variant spellings attest to the fact that the name had been commonly adopted by families of various socio-economic backgrounds.
In the Netherlands, the surname Mulders (also spelled Mulder) is likely derived from the same origin as the German version. It is possible that individuals adopted the Dutch spelling due to their occupation, such as a mule driver.
The surname may also have originated from "mulder" meaning 'aquatic bird' in Dutch and Flemish languages, or from Middle Dutch 'mulderen' which means 'to kneel'. It is also possible that it originated from Middle Dutch 'mulder' which referred to a landholder.
The surname Mulders is also found in Scotland, where it is a topographic surname derived from 'mulder', in this case meaning 'a slope or hillside'.
Other surnames with similar origins include the Swedish Malm and the Dutch Meulenbergh and Meulenkamp.
Famous people with the name Mulders
- Fox Mulder: FBI Agent in The X Files
- Daisy Mulder: Dutch racing cyclist
- Bart Mulder: Dutch politician
- Bas Mulder: Dutch racing cyclist
- John Mulder: New Zealand Paralympic swimmer
- Carel Mulder: Dutch footballer
- Edwin Mulder: Dutch football manager
- Eric Mulder: Dutch politician
- Jai Mulder: Australian musician
- Mino Mulder: Dutch footballer
- Peter Mulder: Dutch rower
- Sharon Mulder: Dutch former professional tennis player
- Simon Mulder: Dutch basketball player
- Ward Mulder: Dutch scientist
- Wiebe Mulder: Dutch marathon runner
- Wil Mulder: Dutch footballer