Surname Caulder - Meaning and Origin

Caulder: What does the surname Caulder mean?

The last name Caulder has its roots in ancient Scottish and Northern English history. It is a variant of the surname Calder, derived from several places named Calder in Scotland and Cumbria. The word itself is believed to have originated from the Old Norse elements "kaldr" meaning "cold" and "dalr" meaning "valley", therefore, Caulder would roughly translate to “cold valley”. However, it may also stem from the Celtic elements "coille" meaning "wood" and "dobhar" meaning "water". Therefore, it might also be interpreted as "wooded water" or "stream in the woods". This surname was often given to individuals living near rivers or streams in a cold valley. As the usage of surnames became common, many people adopted their locality or place of residence as their surname. Hence, the various occurrences of this surname point towards its topographic nature.

Caulder: Where does the name Caulder come from?

The surname Caulder is of Scottish origin, derived from the place named Calder, in the former county of Midlothian, now part of the City of Edinburgh. The name Calder itself comes from the Cumbric term "caled dour" which means "hard water" or "violent waters", perhaps indicative of a fast-moving river.

Today, the surname Caulder is relatively rare. The largest concentration of people with the Caulder surname is in the United States, where it is most common in the southeastern states. There is a substantial number of people with this last name living in North Carolina representing the most populous state for the surname. It's also found, though less frequently, in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Despite its origins, the surname is not common in Scotland today. As is often the case with surnames, geographic dispersal over time and changes in spelling can affect where a name is most frequently found.

Variations of the surname Caulder

The surname Caulder has a few variants. Some of the most common among these are Calder, Cauldair, and Caldera. It is a Scottish surname, originating from the district called Calder in Lothian. The first record of the Calder family was in this region in the 11th century. The family spread to the North of Scotland, with the Calder family of Moray and Nairn being particularly significant. Thus, some other alternative spellings might reflect this geographic spread, including Cauldur, Cawlder, and Coldair.

Additionally, individuals with the Caulder surname might share ancestry with those carrying the surnames Calder and Caldwell, given that these two surnames can derive from similar geographic or topographic roots. Other surnames that could possibly share a common origin with Caulder include Corder, Caulter, and Coldar.

However, please keep in mind that surname origins can be complex due to factors like migration, name changes, translation issues, and regional variations. Therefore, while these variants and potentially related surnames are educated suggestions based on linguistic and historical patterns, they might not cover all possible connections to the Caulder surname.

Famous people with the name Caulder

• Ian Caulder: He is notable as a British Olympic runner who competed in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
• John Caulder: He was a Scottish professional golfer who played in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Jack Caulder: He is an American actor known for his role in the movie "The Human Centipede III".
• Samuel Caulder: He was a prominent figure from South Carolina, United States, who had a significant influence in the political landscape of the late 18th century America.
• Chynna Zoe Caulder: A professional model in the United States. She has garnered some attention in the modeling industry for magazine shoots and fashion shows.
• Derek Caulder: He is an Australian athlete known for his career as a football player in the Australian football league.
• Nicole Caulder: An Australian actress known for her work in popular TV shows in Australia. Please note, these individuals may not all be 'famous' in the traditional sense of the word, but they have gained some measure of recognition within their respective fields. However, no globally renowned celebrity or personality appears to have the last name Caulder.

Other surnames

Cauldwell