Olstad is a local name from the German region of Westphalia. Local names came to Germany with other types of hereditary surnames after the 12th century. They were derived from the name of the place where the original bearer of the name lived. Sometimes local names bear the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from". It was an indication of land-ownership, and was sometimes taken as a mark of aristocracy. The family originally lived in one of the places named Alstadt or Alstätte. Literally, the name means "old town." There are many towns named Alstadt scattered throughout the German states. In the region of Saxony, on the Rhône river, there is an old town named Allstadt. This town existed during the medieval era and the historical documents that refer to this town date back to 777. There is also a town named Alstätte, on the northern tip of Germany.
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Early Origins of the Olstad family
The surname Olstad was first found in Westphalia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.
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Early History of the Olstad family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olstad research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1638 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Olstad History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Olstad Spelling Variations
Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Olstad include Altstadt, Alstadt, Altstad, Alstad, Alsted, Alstede, Alstedt, Altstaedter, Altstaedt and many more.
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Early Notables of the Olstad family
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Olstad Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Olstad family
After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them: Anna Judith Alstadt, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1729; as did Martin Alstadt in the same year. Johann Michael Alstat came to Philadelphia in 1767; as well as Jost Allstatt in 1775. August Altstaedten came to Texas in 1845.
Germany
