Olters History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of OltersWhat does the name Olters mean? It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Olters was formed. The name was derived 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. Alternatively the name could mean "dweller by the alder(s)" from the Old English word "alor." 1 Early Origins of the Olters familyThe surname Olters 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. " 2 "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." 3 The Alderston variant is frequented in Scotland where the name is "Perhaps from Alderston near Bellshill in the parish of Bothwell, Lanarkshire. There is also an Alderston in the parish of Haddington, East Lothian, and an Alderstone in the parish of Mid Calder, Midlothian. Peter Alderstoune, presbyter in Glasgow, is mentioned in 1544, and the name is also found in Glasgow at the same period as Alderstoun (1551), Aldirstoune (1552), and Alderstone (1554). James Alderstoune was minister of Kilmaurs from 1637 to 1642." 4 Early History of the Olters familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olters research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1544, 1554, 1605, 1620, 1634, 1743, 1758, 1760, 1787, 1792, 1794, 1811, 1817, 1822, 1829, 1830, 1834, 1857, 1867 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Olters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Olters Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Olters include Alders, Alderson, Alderston, Alderstone, Aldirstone and many more. Early Notables of the Olters familyNotables of the family at this time include Sir Edward Hall Alderson (1787-1857), English judge, the son of Robert Alderson, for many years recorder of Norwich, Yarmouth, and Ipswich. He was called to the bar in 1811, and joined the northern circuit. From 1817 to 1822 he was reporter to the King's Bench. In 1830 he was made a judge in the court of Common Pleas, never having taken silk. In 1834 he was transferred to the Exchequer, and was a Baron of that court until his death. 5John Alderson (1758-1829), English physician, belonged to a family distinguished by its varied... Migration of the Olters familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Olters were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Alderson who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1679; John Alderson, aged 40, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1820; Thomas Alderson, who settled in that same city in 1842.
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