Surname Hodder - Meaning and Origin

Hodder: What does the surname Hodder mean?

The surname Hodder is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a river in Lancashire named River Hodder. It is a locational surname, often given to individuals who lived near this river. The river's name is thought to have derived from the Welsh word "hudr", which translates to "the abundant stream" in English. Over the years, the name has had several variations such as Hoder, Hodur, and Hodir, and up to modern day Hodder. It's important to note that surnames in ancient times often represented either occupation, location, patronymic or personal characteristics. In the case of Hodder, the location meaning applies. Despite being originated in the north-west in England, today, this last name can be found in many different parts of the world due to the migration of people throughout history.

Hodder: Where does the name Hodder come from?

The surname Hodder is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing back to England. The word "Hodder" derives from the Old English personal name "Hudda", which could also refer to someone residing by a river known as Hodder in Lancashire. It could also be an occupational name for a holder or bearer, deriving from the word "hodde", a bucket or a load and "here", an army.

There are several variations of this name including Hudder, Hudderston, Hodder, Hodd, Hod, Hood, and others. The first recorded spelling dates back to 1381 in the records of Cornwall, where the manor of "Hutheresfeld" was mentioned.

Today, this surname is relatively common in England, particularly in the Lancashire area where the river it may have been named after is located. It is also found in Ireland, especially in counties Limerick and Tipperary where it was introduced in the 17th century. There are also bearers of this name in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, largely due to the movements of English and Irish immigrants over the centuries. Despite this, it remains an uncommon surname globally.

Variations of the surname Hodder

The surname Hodder is considered to be of English origin. It is derived from the early medieval English name for a person who was a professional hood maker, from the old English word 'hod', which means hood. It signifies someone who crafted hoods for falcons and other hunting birds, or hooded cloaks for travelers and monks.

There are several spellings and variants of the surname Hodder. Some of these are Hoddy, Hoddie, Hodor, Hode, and Hoad. Surnames often changed over time due to the various ways they could be pronounced, so the surname Hodder also evolved into other forms like Hudder and Hodere.

Also, it is typical for surnames to have many different spelling versions. This could be due to clerical errors, misinterpretations, or a change in the language used. Hence, Hodder could also be rendered as Hoder, Hudder, Hodar, Hodur, Hodir, or Hodor.

However, over time, all these additional versions of Hodder would have become surnames in their own right. Whether they can now be traced back to the original Hodder surname would depend on individual genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Hodder

• Chris Hodder: Chris Hodder is an actor, mainly active in the theater. He studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and made his professional theatre debut in 2006.
• Ross Hodder: Ross Hodder is a British-born actor and director. He has starred in several films, television series, and web series, including the award-winning web series Vagabond.
• Stephen Hodder MBE: Stephen Hodder MBE is an architect from Manchester, England. He is the managing director of Hodder & Partners and a highly decorated Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
• Jacob Hodder: Jacob Hodder is a New Zealand professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He has won three individual professional tournaments on that tour, as well as several amateur tournaments.
• Paul Hodder: Paul Hodder is a British actor and stunt performer who has starred in a number of films and television series. He has appeared in productions such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Age of Ultron and the BBC drama Sherlock.
• Geoff Hodder: Geoff Hodder is an English actor who has starred in various popular television shows, such as 30 Rock and Outnumbered. He has also appeared in films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Philomena.
• Robert Hodder: Robert Hodder is an English entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and Chairman of the Hodder Group, a private investment and asset management company.
• Andy Hodder: Andy Hodder is a well-known singer and songwriter from Gloucestershire, England. He has released several albums and singles in various genres, including rock, blues, country, and folk.

Other surnames

Hoddeson