Show ContentsVader History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished German surname Vader is derived from the High German "vater," meaning "father." It is likely that the name was originally bestowed as a nickname on someone who acted as a counselor or elder within an extended family or community. Alternatively, the name "Vader" was often used to refer to a clergyman or to a male attendant in a hospital; thus, the progenitor of the name may have been one who held such an occupation.

Early Origins of the Vader family

The surname Vader was first found in Bavaria, where the name Vatersheim was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Vader family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vader research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1680, 1712, 1749, 1757, 1771, 1790, 1793, 1826 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Vader History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vader Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Vatersheim, Vater, Vaterweis, Feuerstein, Waterstein, Waterscheim, Watersheim, Fater, Fader and many more.

Early Notables of the Vader family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vader Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Vader migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Vader Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joh Michael Vader, who landed in Texas in 1845 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Vader (post 1700) +

  • Elnora Vader, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1960, 1972 2
  • Elisabeth Cornelia "Els" Vader (1959-2021), Dutch track and field sprinter from the Netherlands


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 5) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook