Surname Philander - Meaning and Origin
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Philander: What does the surname Philander mean?
The last name Philander is derived from the Greek name "philandros" which means "friend of man". This name likely originated from a combination of the Greek words "philo" (a type of love) and "andros" (man).
It has taken different forms in different countries over the years. In the United Kingdom, it can be pronounced "fill-an-dur" or "fill-an-der". In the past,it was often used as a given name, but it is now most commonly used as a surname.
The name Philander is traditionally associated with intelligence, practicality and the ability to think on one's feet. It is also seen as a sign of trustworthiness and loyalty, as evidenced by its origin in the Greek language which describes someone who is a "friend of man".
People with this last name are known for being personable and down-to-earth. They are often social, outgoing, and like to help others. Creative individuals with this last name often have an affinity for music, art, and literature.
To put it simply, the last name Philander connotes the feeling of working together in harmony with others. It signifies the qualities of being a reliable friend and a dependable ally. People with this last name are often people with great potential and many, many friends.
Order DNA origin analysisPhilander: Where does the name Philander come from?
The last name Philander is a common surname today in the United States of America, Canada, and a variety of countries in Europe. The name can be found in many family trees across the world, tracing back to various regions and cultures.
In the Netherlands, the name is Dutch and derived from the French word "philander," which means someone who loves women. It's most commonly found in the Dutch speaking parts of the Netherlands since the name has been around since the start of the Dutch Republic in the 1600s.
In the United States of America, the name is thought to have descended from the French Huguenots known as the "Philandes," who were among the early French settlers in the country.
The name can also be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and a few other European countries.
It is definitely true to say that the Philander surname is widely spread across the globe and it has been around for a very long time. Philanders that share a surname today are most likely to be linked by stories of their ancestors that traveled hundreds of years ago in search of a better life or to start a business or a new beginning.
Variations of the surname Philander
The Philander surname has diverse spellings and variants with names like Philender, Filander, Filender, Philandor, Philannder, and Philipenden. The surname is derived by a combination of two words, ‘phile’ from the Greek language for ‘love’ and the Latin word ‘andare’ for ‘walk’. In Dutch, Flanders and France, the word ‘philander’ is a verb and means ‘to make love’.
The surname is known to have originated from England and also has Dutch-Flemish origins. The Charters of the Priory of Hornham in 1090 list a ‘Phelipendre’, and a Norman knight named Ferindal held the lands of ‘Philandar’ in 1090. It is recorded as ‘Philippeandres’ in 1150.
The Philander surname is also known to have some Dutch variants, such as Van Philander, Van Philandere and Von Philander. It can also be found in the mixed American cultural context such as Filender, Phillender and Fillender. Historically, it became more common as a given name for children and men in the 17th century and obtained a widespread popularity in England.
In the United States, many people bearing this surname are descended from Dutch immigrants. Notable people bearing this surname include William Henry Philander Absolom, an American entrepreneur, and John George Philander, an American singer and composer.
The Philander surname is an ancient one with multiple spellings and variants, having origins in England and Dutch-Flemish languages. This surname has acquired widespread popularity over centuries and is perpetuated by many notable people who have held it.
Famous people with the name Philander
- Marlon Philander: Known for being a professional football (soccer) player from Suriname.
- Tonny Philander: Musician from St. Lucia, most known for his song “A Wah Do to Me”.
- Martinus Philander: Surinamese politician and former Prime Minister of Suriname from 2010-2015.
- Norman Philander: South African jazz musician known for his work on saxophone and flute.
- June Philander: Kenyan lawyer and one of the first female human rights specialists in Kenya.
- Sarah Philander: South African filmmaker and co-founder of the Women in Film and Television South Africa.
- Nora Philander: Grenada-born actress and winner of the 2000 Caribbean American Heritage Award for Best Actress.
- Kenley Philander: Guyanese writer and poet, winner of the Guyana Poetry Award in 2015.
- Regis Philander: New Zealand actor, most famous for his portrayal of the character "Axel" in the popular television series Power Rangers.
- Rachel Philander: South African artist known for creating works in various mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and multimedia.