Surname Sholder - Meaning and Origin

Sholder: What does the surname Sholder mean?

The surname "Sholder" is believed to have Jewish origins, particularly from Ashkenazi Jewish communities. The exact meaning of "Sholder" is not clearly defined, likely because it is a relatively rare surname. However, many Ashkenazi Jewish surnames are derived from locations, occupations, or personal characteristics. It's possible that "Sholder" may have once referred to an occupation (such as a shepherd carrying sheep on his shoulders) or a physical characteristic (someone with broad or strong shoulders). However, without specific genealogical information, these interpretations can only be speculative. It's also important to note that many Jewish surnames underwent changes as families moved throughout Europe, so the original spelling and meaning may have been altered over time. Therefore, the most accurate understanding of specific surname meanings often comes from individual family history and lore.

Sholder: Where does the name Sholder come from?

The surname Sholder is found predominantly in the United States today. The surname Sholder can be found in many different states including California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. In addition to the United States, Sholder is a fairly common surname in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Brazil as well.

The census records in the United States reveal that the surname Sholder is most common in the Midwest, such as in the states of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. According to FamilySearch.org, Sholder is a fairly common surname in Indiana as records show that there is an average of 288 Sholder families living there. In the state of Michigan, records from Ancestry.com reveal that the surname Sholder is also relatively popular. For Illinois, records from Ancestry.com reveal that there is an average of 202 Sholder families living there.

In the United Kingdom, according to the UK Census statistics, Sholder is a relatively uncommon surname, with an average of 158 Sholder families residing in the country. The UK census data also reveals that London is the city that has the most Sholder families living in it.

Overall, the surname Sholder is relatively widespread throughout the United States and other countries around the globe. Records from FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and UK Census data all show that Sholder is a relatively common surname in different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Sholder

The surname Sholder is an anglicized spelling of the German name Scholder, which is derived from the Middle High German word Schollaer, meaning "person in charge of assessments." Variants of the name Sholder include Shollder, Schelder, Schoulder, Schuller, Schoeller, Schoeler, Schoellner, and Skoeller.

In addition, the surname may have been used interchangeably with other surnames of the same origin, such as Schüller, Schüldner, Schülner, Schuellner, and Schulenburg. The alternate spellings of the surname, which may appear in records prior to the 19th century include Scholder, Schoeller, Scheler, Schůler, Sceller, Schoeler, and Schoellner.

Sholder is a popular surname in the United States. In the 2000 US Census, there were 578 individuals with this surname, most of whom resided in Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Texas. In the United Kingdom, the surname Sholder is most commonly found in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire.

The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin provide a wealth of information for genealogists and other researchers. By carefully researching original documents, such as wills, censuses, military records, church records, land records, newspaper articles, and city directories, researchers can gain a better understanding of a family's history and heritage.

Famous people with the name Sholder

• Rob Sholder: American film director, writer and producer, best known for his work on The Hidden (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) and Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004).
• Julie Sholder: American singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her work with Chris Cornell, Natalie Merchant and Selena Gomez.
• Paul Sholder: American actor, best known for his appearances in CSI: Miami, Without a Trace and Las Vegas.
• Fanny Sholder: American stand-up comedian and author, best known for her work on Saturday Night Live and in the film Punchline (1988).
• Karen Sholder: American sculptor and artist, best known for her public works of art throughout the United States including San Francisco, California and Aspen, Colorado.
• John Sholder: American music producer and recording artist, best known for his work with R.E.M. and the Beatles.
• Leslie Sholder: American film producer, best known for her work on Pretty Woman (1990), Hoffa (1992) and Spaceballs (1987).
• Brett Sholder: American screenwriter and film producer, best known for his work on The Doors (1991), The Last Boy Scout (1991) and Black Hawk Down (2001).
• John Sholder: American actor, best known for his lead role in the film The Beast (1988).
• Stanley Sholder: Arbola-born American actor, best known for his roles in Akula (2003) and Crazy in Love (2006).

Other surnames

Sholders