Surname Odenwälder - Meaning and Origin

Odenwälder: What does the surname Odenwälder mean?

The last name Odenwälder is of German origin and is a surname derived from the Old High German word “waltan”, meaning “forest-dweller” or “apple-grower”. The name dates back to medieval Germany and was often given to someone who lived in or near a forest. The name could also have been given to someone who owned an orchard or was involved in fruit farming.

The earliest recorded mention of the Odenwälder surname dates back to 1525, when a man named Hans Odenwälder was listed as living in a small village near Ulm, Germany. Since then, the Odenwälder name has been found in records from Germany, Austria, parts of Switzerland, and the United States. Today, the Odenwälder name is still very common throughout most of these countries.

The literal translation of Odenwälder is “forest-dweller” or “apple-grower”. The last name can be interpreted as someone who was born or raised in a forest, or someone who was involved in fruit-growing. This would indicate that the Odenwälder family has a strong historical connection with the land, or was heavily involved in agriculture.

Overall, the last name Odenwälder is an interesting one with a long history. It has an intriguing meaning and has been around since at least the 16th century. The Odenwälder surname is still very common in many countries, and it shows a strong, connected relationship to the land and the environment.

Odenwälder: Where does the name Odenwälder come from?

The last name Odenwälder is a German surname and is most commonly found in Germany. It is not an overly common name, although its particular coat of arms is registered with the House of Names and its origin has been traced to the Basel region of Switzerland.

The name is derived from the middle high German term "odenwalt," which means "oak forest" or "oak ruler." This likely points to the families ancestral origin among the members of the aristocracy of the region who were responsible for the protection of the royal forests from poachers.

The spelling of the name has seen variations, as it is often seen as "Odwenwalder," "Oadendalder," and "Odendalder." While not wholly common, it is a widespread surname throughout Germany and can be found in the German states of Bavaria, Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate and the North Rhine-Westphalia.

Outside of Germany, the name can be found in English speaking countries, especially the US, as many Germans settled in places such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Minnesota. Some members of the family, but not all, will hyphenate the name, putting it together as "Odenwälder-Whiting," which means they trace their lineage to both the Odenwälder family as well as the Whiting family of English ancestry.

Variations of the surname Odenwälder

The surname Odenwälder is a German surname that can be found in records dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word “wäldere” meaning “forest” and the Middle High German word “odon,” meaning “mountain.” The literal translation is “one who lives on or near a mountain forest”.

Variants and spellings for Odenwälder include: Odenwalda, Odanwalt, Odanwälder, Odenwalt, Odonald, Oderwald, Odenwaldt, Oennett, and Odemed.

Surnames of the same origin as Odenwälder are Odendahl, Odenthal, Odenheimer, Odenkirchen, Odenkirch, Odenkirk, and Ewald.

Variants of Odenwälder can indicate different branches of the same family. Spellings may also vary depending on regional dialects. The surname Odenwälder may have taken on different spellings and pronunciations throughout the centuries as the lineage moved between different countries. Families with similar surnames, such as Odendahl, Odenthal, and Odenkirk, may share a common origin but also may not be directly related.

The names of the Odenwälder family have been passed down generations and continue to be seen throughout Europe. While the original meaning of the name might be lost, the legacy of the Odenwalders will remain.

Famous people with the name Odenwälder

• Eva Odenwälder: Eva is a German mountaineer and has climbed some of the most famous summits in the world. She became the first woman to climb the Matterhorn in Switzerland in 2000 and also in 2007 became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest without extra oxygen.
• Christina Odenwälder: Christina is an Austrian musician and composer who creates chamber music and symphonic works.
• Eveline Odenwälder: Eveline is a Swiss opera singer who has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, such as La Scala in Milan.
• Arnold Odenwälder: Arnold is a German football coach who has worked with some of the top clubs in Europe, like Borussia Dortmund in Germany and FC Basel in Switzerland.
• Heinrich Odenwälder: Heinrich is a former German weightlifter who competed in the Summer Olympics in 1912, 1924 and 1928. He won a bronze medal in the 1924 Olympics in the featherweight competition.
• Ulrich Odenwälder: Ulrich is a former German Paralympic athlete who competed in the Summer Paralympic Games in 1984 and 1988. He competed in shot put and discus events and won two gold medals in the 1984 Games.
• Walter Odenwälder: The Swiss musician and composer is best known for his Magical Symphony, a piece requiring 20 harps and 12 cellos.
• Johannes Odenwälder: Johannes is a German artist who works mainly in modern painting and has exhibited his works in galleries around the world.

Other surnames

OdenwaldOdenwaldt