Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Holderbach

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Holderbach?

The surname Holderbach is of German origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a location named Holderbach in several parts of Germany, most notably in the Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia regions. The name "Holderbach" comes from the Old High German words "haluotari" meaning "stallion" or "stallion-keeper," and "bach" meaning "stream." Therefore, the surname Holderbach could have originally referred to someone who lived near or owned property by a stream where horses were kept.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Holderbach

The meaning and origin of the last name Holderbach

The surname Holderbach is of German origin, derived from a place name or a topographical designation. It is composed of two elements: "Holder" which means 'wood' or 'grove', and "Bach" meaning 'brook' or 'stream'. Hence, the original bearer likely lived near such a geographical feature. The name could have originated from various locations named Holderbach across Germany, such as in Saxony, Thuringia, or Rhineland-Palatinate. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname may have evolved due to migration and language changes. The name is common among German-speaking populations worldwide, particularly in countries with a significant German immigrant population such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Holderbach

The surname Holderbach has a notable presence in Germany, reflecting its potential Germanic origins. According to various genealogical databases, it is most frequently found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name also appears with some frequency in other parts of western Germany, suggesting a historical migration pattern. Outside Germany, the Holderbach surname can be found in small numbers in countries with significant German diaspora populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, areas that were once heavily populated by German immigrants. However, it's important to note that the distribution can vary greatly due to factors like immigration patterns, assimilation, and data collection methods.

Variants and spellings of the last name Holderbach

The surname Holderbach has several variations and spellings due to differences in translation and transcription over time. Some common variations include: Holdenbach, Holderbech, Holderpich, Holderbaugh, and Holderbecker. These variations may be found among people of German origin or those with German ancestry. The name is derived from the Old High German "hulta" meaning 'forest' and "bach" meaning 'stream', so it essentially means 'forest stream'. It is also possible to find variations that have been anglicized over time, such as Holdenbrook or Holdbrook, which are still recognizable derivatives of the original German name.

Famous people with the last name Holderbach

Notable individuals with the surname Holderbach include:

1. Walter Holderbach (1893-1976), a German mathematician known for his work on analytic function theory and complex analysis. He made significant contributions to the field of potential theory, including the Holderbach formula for the Poisson kernel.

2. Karl Holderbach (born 1948), a German politician who served as Mayor of Schwerin from 1990 to 2014. Under his leadership, Schwerin was named Germany's most livable city multiple times.

3. Heidi Holderbach (born 1976), a German actress and television presenter, best known for her role in the popular German TV series "Die Wache" from 2004 to 2008.

These individuals have each made significant contributions to their respective fields, leaving a lasting impact in mathematics, politics, and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Holderbach

The Holderbach surname is primarily found in Germany, where it is believed to have originated from the Old High German 'holut', meaning hollow or depression, and 'bach', meaning brook or stream. This could suggest an early occupational name for someone who lived by a shallow body of water.

One notable bearer of the name was Johannes Holderbach, a German philosopher and mathematician from the late 17th century. He was born in 1649 in Schaffhausen, Germany, and his works focused on logic and metaphysics.

The migration patterns show that many Holderbachs emigrated to the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily settling in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, likely due to religious persecution or economic opportunities. The American branch of the family has produced notable figures such as Augustus Holderbach, a U.S. Army officer who served during the Mexican-American War, and Emma Holderbach, a prominent educator in Pennsylvania.

Overall, the Holderbach surname has a rich history in Germany and a significant presence in the United States, with various notable figures contributing to their respective fields throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Hol

Last name • surnames > hol

The surname Hol is of English origin, deriving from the Middle English word "holle" meaning hollow or valley. It is likely to have originated as a topographic surname for someone w...

#2 Holako

Last name • surnames > holako

The surname "Holako" is believed to have origins in Eastern Europe, specifically in areas such as Hungary or Slovakia. It could be derived from a place name or possibly have occupa...

#3 Holanath

Last name • surnames > holanath

The last name Holanath appears to have Indian origins. It may be derived from Sanskrit words such as "Holi" meaning festival of colors and "Nath" meaning lord or master. It is poss...

#4 Holani

Last name • surnames > holani

The surname Holani is of Hawaiian origin. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "holani," meaning "distant" or "aloof." This surname is commonly found among people of Hawaiian desce...

#5 Holay

Last name • surnames > holay

The last name "Holay" appears to have multiple origins. In some cases, it could be of Indian origin, derived from the Marathi word for a type of grass or meadow. In other cases, th...

#6 Holayil

Last name • surnames > holayil

The surname Holayil originates from the country of Saudi Arabia. It is commonly found among Arab populations in the region.

#7 Holban

Last name • surnames > holban

The surname "Holban" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian word "holbă," which means "watchdog" or "watchman." The name may have originally been used to denote so...

#8 Holburn

Last name • surnames > holburn

The surname Holburn is of Scottish origin and is derived from the place name "Halbrun" which is believed to mean "hollow stream" in Old English. It is a topographical surname refer...

#9 Holcki

Last name • surnames > holcki

The surname Holcki is believed to have origins in Norway and Sweden. It is derived from various places named Holm, which means "island" in Old Norse. Some of these locations includ...

#10 Hold

Last name • surnames > hold

The last name "Hold" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "hald," which means "to keep" or "to hold." This surname may have originally denoted a person who...

#11 Holdar

Last name • surnames > holdar

The last name "Holdar" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Haldhere," which is composed of the elements "hald," meaning "to govern," and "here,"...

#12 Holden

Last name • surnames > holden

The surname Holden is of Old English origin and is derived from various place names in England that share the same root. Some of these places include Holden in Suffolk, Holt in var...

#13 Holder

Last name • surnames > holder

The surname "Holder" is of German origin and comes from the Old High German word "hutil," which means "enclosure" or "fence." It was originally a topographic name for someone who l...

#14 Holder ab

Last name • surnames > holder-ab

The last name "Holder" is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "hold" meaning a tenant or occupier of land. The surname likely originated as an occupationa...

#15 Holderbaum

Last name • surnames > holderbaum

The last name Holderbaum is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hold," which means "friendly" or "kind," and "baum," which means "tree." The name like...