Surname Oudt - Meaning and Origin

Oudt: What does the surname Oudt mean?

The last name Oudt is of Dutch origin and is derived from the word “oud” which means “old”. The name is generally said to represent someone who is old-fashioned and conservative, showing a deep respect for the traditions of their ancestors.

Oudt families are known to have established themselves in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe during the 16th century, emigrating to America shortly afterwards. It is possible that the Oudts were one of many groups who left their homeland due to religious persecution.

These Dutch families' values of tradition and hard work have been passed down through the generations. Most Oudts place a hefty emphasis on family and religious values, which is why the Dutch word for "ancestor" (oudvader) sounds so much like their surname.

Today, the Oudts remain closely connected with their Dutch heritage. Many popular Oudt first names such as Jan and Willem last to this day, and the family’s website proudly proclaims the fact that they own one of the oldest Dutch cemeteries in existence.

Oudts are most certainly proud of their long lineage, and have adapted and evolved with time, allowing them to make a name for themselves both in America and beyond. Generally, people of this surname are known for their loyalty, hard work and respect for tradition, making them upstanding members of society.

Oudt: Where does the name Oudt come from?

The last name Oudt can be found predominantly today throughout regions of Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and the United States. This surname is derived from the Old High German "Uta," meaning "prosperity" or "riches."

In Germany, the surname has a particularly strong presence throughout the state of Hesse. For example, it is one of the most popular surnames in the Hessian capital of Frankfurt am Main, where 439 people are registered under the Oudt moniker. In other parts of the country, the surname is relatively rare.

The Oudt name can also be found in large numbers in the Netherlands and Belgium. In particular, the cities of Utrecht and Antwerp have sizable populations of Dutch and Belgian citizens with the last name Oudt. The name is particularly common among Dutch Mennonites, as a result of a royal decree in 1811 that allowed families to adopt one-word surnames.

In Scandinavia, the last name Oudt is relatively uncommon, although there are small concentrations in Sweden, including in the Stockholm region.

The United States also has a sizable population of Oudt descendants. This is due in part to the emmigration of some Europeans with the Oudt surname in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today, the US Census Bureau lists the Oudt family name as the 23,878th most popular in America.

Variations of the surname Oudt

The surname Oudt is of Dutch origin. Variants of the name include Oud, Oudde, van Oudt, van Oud and van Oudde. There is also a spelling variant of Oudte, as well as a surname of Oudten, Oudtemans, and Oudemans.

The Oud surname was first recorded in 1349, when a Cornelis Oudt was registered in Amsterdam. Despite this, the name was relatively uncommon in Dutch literature until the 17th century. In the early 1600s, the first widely-used variant, Oudde, was employed. In 1676, an entry for Jan Oud was recorded in Friesland, and in 1688, a Jacob Oud was recorded as living in Antwerp.

The variant van Oudt was first recorded in 1590, when a Johannes von Ought was recorded in the Friesland region. While the Oud surname was mostly Dutch, the von Oudt name was recorded in Germany in 1664, in the town of Iserlohn.

The Oudemans surname was relatively common in Dutch literature, with a variety of spellings. The most-used variant of the name was Oudtman. In 1679, a Willem Oudtman was recorded as living in Groningen, and by the early 1700s, the Oudtemann surname had become increasingly popular in the same region.

The name is furthermore documented in various forms in Dutch colonial records, suggesting that the "Oudt" spelling was still employed in the 18th century. In 1791, an immigrant named Henrik Oudt was recorded as living in America. However, this spelling soon gave way to the more traditional "Oud" variant, which can be found in US records from the 19th century onwards.

Famous people with the name Oudt

• Herman Oudt (1817-1893): Dutch clergyman and botanist. He was part of the Royal General Dutch Society of Botany.
• Marijn Oudt (born 1988): Dutch filmmaker and screenwriter. He is best known for his documentary films; his credits include 2016's 'Out of This World', 2013's 'Paradisco' and several shorts.
• Kasper Oudt (born 1990): Dutch professional footballer. Currently playing for FC Eindhoven, he had previously played for FC Utrecht and De Graafschap.
• Dirk-Jan Oudt (born 1969): Dutch sculptor and visual artist. He has exhibited his work in multiple countries, such as India, Japan, Spain and the Netherlands.
• Joost Oudt (born 1994): Dutch professional racecar driver, winner of the 2017 GT4 European Series.
• Willem Oudt (1910-2006): Dutch painter, architect and art historian. He was an important member of the Amsterdam School of free art between the 1930s and 40s.
• Roman Oudt (born 1991): Dutch professional footballer, currently playing for Ajax FC, he has also represented the Netherlands nation team in competitive matches.
• Pieter Oudt (circa 1727- 1804): Dutch politician and diplomat, he served in the Provincial Assembly of West-Friesland between 1770 to 1771.
• Jannigje Oudt (1693-1769): Dutch parishioner in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. She is buried at the St. Baafs Christian Cemetery in Gorinchem.
• Jammy Oudt (born 2002): Dutch singer and songwriter. She released her first EP in 2019, and has had several singles on the Dutch Pop Charts.

Other surnames

OudOudaleOudeOuderkirkOudman