Alders History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Alders came from the baptismal name Alder. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures. The name Alder meant wise warrior.

Early Origins of the Alders family

The surname Alders was first found in London and Middlesex, where the name meant 'son of the old wise warrior'. By the 16th century they had migrated north to Scotland to Haddington in East Lothian where they called themselves Alderston.

In Cumberland, Alston, the market-town and parish of Alston-Moor was home to some of the family in early times. "Mining in this district is of some antiquity, several charters having been granted to the miners of 'Alderston' in the 13th century. " [1]

"Alderson is a name of very frequent occurrence in the Richmond district of the North Riding. John Alderson was sheriff of the city of York in 1709. The name is also established in the adjacent county of Durham." [2]

Early History of the Alders family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alders research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1544, 1750 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Alders History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alders Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Alders has been recorded under many different variations, including Alders, Alderson, Alderston, Alderstone, Aldirstone and many more.

Early Notables of the Alders family (pre 1700)

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

Alders migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Alders or a variant listed above:

Alders Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joane Alders, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [3]

Alders Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adam Alders, who landed in North America in 1832 [3]
Cornelia Alders, aged 72, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Alders (post 1700) +

Jacky Alders (b. 1956), Belgian sprint canoer
Johannes Gerardus Maria "Hans" Alders (b. 1952), Dutch politician

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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)