Show ContentsÖder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Öder

What does the name Öder mean?

The Dutch surname Öder can either be a metonymic occupational name for an otter hunter or a nickname for someone supposedly resembling an otter in appearance from the Middle Dutch word otter.

Early Origins of the Öder family

The surname Öder was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Amsterdam, an ancient 13th century town held by the Lords of Amstel. Giesebrecht II built a castle there. Geisbrecht III built the dam to keep out the sea. It is first mentioned in charters of 1275 when Floris IV, the count of Holland granted its charter. It became a city of great mercantile wealth. It hold great treasures of art. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into a most influential family.

Early History of the Öder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Öder research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1718 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Öder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Öder Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Otter, Otters, Ottere, Otteres, Otterr, Otterrs, Oter, Oters, Ottar, van Ottar, de Otter and many more.

Early Notables of the Öder family

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


Öder migration to the United States +



Öder Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Oder, who landed in New Jersey in 1679 1
Öder Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johannes George Oder, who settled in Philadelphia in 1733
Öder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Oder, who settled in Baltimore in 1832
  • Johann Oder, who settled in Baltimore in 1832
  • Joseph Oder settled in San Francisco, California in 1852

Contemporary Notables of the name Öder (post 1700) +

  • J. B. Oder, American politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates from Allegany County, 1878 2


  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 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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