Show ContentsBookbinder Surname History

Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state in western Germany, is the homeland of the proud surname Bookbinder. The name Bookbinder, which is a local surname, reveals that the original bearer of the name once lived, held land, or was born in this beautiful region of Schleswig. In the Holy Roman Empire, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and after the 12th century, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. When coupled with the German preposition von, which means from or of, local names can indicate that the bearer of the name was an aristocrat. However, in modern times, the von is frequently dropped from the surname.

Early Origins of the Bookbinder family

The surname Bookbinder was first found in Schleswig-Holstein, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever-changing territorial profile. The Buchwald family of this northern region were found in Mecklenburg, West Prussia, Silesia, and their landed property varied greatly in size; they lost and gained territory in numerous feuds with the city of Luebeck and the ruling Counts of Holstein.

Early History of the Bookbinder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bookbinder research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1309 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Bookbinder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bookbinder Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Buchwald, Buchwalde, Buckwald, Buchwalder, Buchwalter and many more.

Early Notables of the Bookbinder family

More information is included under the topic Early Bookbinder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bookbinder family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Turst Buchwalter, who came to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1719; Johannes Buchwalter arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729-30; Jacob Buchwalter arrived in Philadelphia County in 1734.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bookbinder (post 1700) +

  • Ronald E. Bookbinder, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1988 1
  • Hyman Bookbinder, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Kings County 22nd District, 1938 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook