Surname Holter - Meaning and Origin
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Holter: What does the surname Holter mean?
The last name Holter is of German origin and is derived from a habitational name, which denotes someone who lived near an elevated area of ground, such as a hill, slope, ridge, or platform. The German word “holter” means “high place.” The name was most likely given to a family who lived on or near an elevated area of land.
Holter is a common last name in Germany, and the name has spread to other countries over time. The Holter surname is found in the United States, Canada, Scotland, England, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The first known record of the Holter surname dates back to the late 17th century in Germany, where Johann Holter was born in 1688.
The Holter family name is often associated with a number of notable individuals, such as Peter E. Holter, a Norwegian-born American merchant, real estate developer, and philanthropist; Helge Holter, a noted Norwegian soccer player and sports commentator; and Per Holter, a noted Swedish geomorphologist. Other famous Holters include Stephen Holter, an American film producer; and Pam Holter, an Australian fashion model.
The Holter name is still in use today. It is found throughout the world, and is a reminder of a family who made their mark on history.
Order DNA origin analysisHolter: Where does the name Holter come from?
The last name Holter is generally considered to be of Dutch, German, or Scandinavian origin. It can be found most commonly in areas with a large population of Dutch, German, or Scandinavian descent, either as a result of immigration or generational heritage.
In the United States, the 2000 U.S. Census recorded 314 individuals with the last name Holter, with a concentration in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Northern states have a higher concentration of individuals with the last name Holter than in the south.
In Europe, the concentration of the last name Holter is most common in the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands, followed by Germany. Many members of this family emigrated from Scandinavia and the Netherlands to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely to search for greater economic opportunities.
Today, Holter is still a fairly uncommon name. Although it is much more common that it used to be, it is not as regularly seen as some other surnames. However, it is still most commonly found in areas with populations of German, Dutch, and Scandinavian descent.
Variations of the surname Holter
The surname Holter has various variants and spellings, all of which have the same origin. These include Holtermann, Holtzmann, Hölter, Hölterman, Höltzmann, Holtman, Hollerman, Hollermann, Hollert, and Höltermann. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word “hölz,” which means “wood.” Holter (and its variants) can be used to describe someone who was involved in woodcutting, or who had a connection to a certain type of wood, such as ash or oak.
The spelling of Holter was evolved from the Old German ‘Holzarm’, which means ‘wood working’ and later developed into Holtarm. It is thought to be an occupational name for someone involved in the timber trade or a woodcutter. It is possible that the Holter surname was derived from an ancestral home in a forest. The German phrase ‘von dem Holter’ could have been used to denote that the family had a physical connection to the woods.
The Modern German spelling of Holtermann has the same origin. The name itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic word ‘hultram’ meaning “woodworking tool.” Ludwig Höltermann, the German engineer and inventor of the modern fire arm is from this name. Variations of the name were also used by the Jewish population to hide their origin, such as the Yiddish spelling of Höltman.
The other surname variants have roots in the German language, such as Höltzmann, Holtman, Hollerman, Hollermann, and Hollert. These names derive from the same origin as Holter and have similar meanings related to woodworking.
In general, the Holter surname indicates someone who was connected to a woodworking trade and is derived from the Middle High German word “hölz,” which means “wood.” The variations of the name all have the same origin, and some have been adopted by the Jewish population as a way to hide their heritage.
Famous people with the name Holter
- Zakiya Cross Holter: Singer and model
- Audun Holter: Norwegian soccer player
- Tami Holter: American actress
- Karoline Holter: Norwegian singer
- Mari Holter: Norwegian singer
- Emilie Holter: Norwegian Jazz singer
- Leslie Holter: Harlem Renaissance dancer
- Nicole Holter: American singer-songwriter
- Arnold Holter: Norwegian farmer and politician
- Kristian Holter: Norwegian composer and baritone singer