Show ContentsWalder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Walder surname comes from a Scandinavian personal name, which came from the Old Norse "Valþiófr," composed of the elements "val" meaning "battle," and "þiofr," or "thief."

Early Origins of the Walder family

The surname Walder was first found in Roxburghshire where they had been Lords of the manor of Waldeve, near Kelso, from ancient times. [1]

"This family, long settled near Kelso, co. Roxburgh, have at different times written themselves Waitho, Watho, Waltho, and Waldie. " [2]

However another source notes that the family could have originated further south in England: "As Waltho or Waldie the name crept northwards into Roxburghshire, and there the surname has flourished for centuries." [3]

Early History of the Walder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Walder research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1152, 1400, 1439, 1508, 1526, 1531 and 1547 are included under the topic Early Walder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walder Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Waldie, Waddy, Waddie, Waldy, Waitho, Waltho and others.

Early Notables of the Walder family

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

Ireland Migration of the Walder family to Ireland

Some of the Walder family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Walder migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Walder Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Tho Walder, who arrived in Virginia in 1662 [4]
  • Edward Walder, who arrived in Maryland in 1664 [4]
Walder Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hanna Barbary Walder, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 [4]
  • Michel Walder, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 [4]
  • Rudoph Walder, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 [4]
  • Mathias Walder, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 [4]
  • Rudolf Walder, who landed in Carolina in 1734 [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Walder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • H Walder, who landed in Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Andacia" [4]
  • Nicholas Walder, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 [4]
  • George Walder, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1850 [4]

Australia Walder migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Walder Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Walder, aged 29, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Ostrich" [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Walder (post 1700) +

  • Russel Walder (b. 1959), American Jazz oboist, founder of Nomad Soul Records
  • Jay Walder, American CEO of Motivate, a global bike sharing company, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York
  • Erick Walder (b. 1971), American silver medalist long jumper at the 1997 World Championships
  • Warren E. Walder, American politician, Mayor of Dixon, Illinois, 1971-75 [6]
  • Max B. Walder, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Bronx County 5th District, 1923, 1924 [6]
  • B. Daniel Walder, American politician, Mayor of Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1976-78 [6]
  • Sir Samuel Robert Walder (1879-1946), Australian politician and businessman, 59th Lord Mayor of Sydney in 1932, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (1932-1943)
  • Francis Walder (1906-1997), born Francis Waldburger, Belgian writer and soldier
  • Alan David Walder (1928-1978), British Conservative Party politician
  • Dave Walder (b. 1978), English rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Wasps
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Walder Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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)
  5. South Australian Register Saturday 22nd July 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Ostrich 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ostrich1854.shtml
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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