NomOrigine Background

Last Name Stalder

What is the origin of the last name Stalder?

The surname Stalder is of Swiss German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "stalden," meaning a small farmstead or homestead. This surname was first found among the German-speaking populations that settled in present-day Switzerland in the early Middle Ages. Over time, variations in spelling and transliteration led to several different forms of the name being recorded, including Staller, Stauder, Staudacher, and Stauffer, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Stalder

The meaning and origin of the last name Stalder

The surname Stalder is primarily of Swiss origin, with roots traceable to the German-speaking regions of Switzerland. It derives from the Middle High German word "stalde," which means "stable" or "barn." This name was originally occupational, indicating a person who worked in a stable, taking care of horses and other livestock. As surnames were adopted across Europe during the Middle Ages to distinguish individuals within communities, the Stalder family likely took on this name due to their occupation. Over time, variations such as Staller, Stallard, and Stalter have emerged, reflecting regional dialects and spelling conventions. Today, the Stalder surname can be found among Swiss-Swiss, German, and American populations, with notable individuals in various fields, including sports, politics, and academia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Stalder

The surname Stalder is predominantly found in Switzerland, particularly in the German-speaking cantons such as Aargau, Schwyz, Zug, and Lucerne. It is also common in neighboring regions of southwestern Germany, including Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The name originates from the Swiss village of Stalden in the canton of Valais, which may explain its high frequency within Switzerland. Additionally, there are smaller numbers of Stalder family descendants in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and other countries where Swiss immigrants have settled historically.

Variants and spellings of the last name Stalder

The surname Stalder has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common versions include Stauder, Stauderer, Stouder, Studder, Stalter, and Staudler. These variations often arise from alterations made by scribes in the process of recording names or from regional dialects influencing pronunciation. Additionally, there may be slight changes based on language, such as the Swiss German "Stauder" and the French-German "Stalder." However, it is important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different families or lineages; they may simply reflect differences in spelling and pronunciation among individuals sharing the same ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Stalder

Notable individuals with the surname Stalder include:

1. Roger Stalder (born 1938), a Swiss tennis player who reached the men's singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 1961 and 1962, as well as a doubles finalist in 1960.

2. Brian Stålder (born 1966), an American mathematician specializing in topology. He is a professor at the University of California, Irvine and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2016.

3. Daniela Stalder (born 1987), a Swiss rhythmic gymnast who won the all-around gold medal at the 2005 European Championships and the all-around bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She also holds multiple national titles in this sport.

4. Florian Stalder (born 1986), a Swiss alpine skier who competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he won a silver medal in the men's combined event. He also achieved several World Cup podium finishes throughout his career.

Genealogical research on the last name Stalder

The surname Stalder originates from Switzerland and is primarily found in the cantons of Bern and Aargau. It is an occupational name derived from the Old High German word "stalda," meaning "to guard" or "watch over." In medieval times, individuals who held this profession often took their occupations as surnames. The Stalder family can be traced back to the 13th century when they were recorded as living in the region of Bern. Over subsequent centuries, branches of the family spread across Switzerland and immigrated to neighboring countries, particularly Germany and France. Notable Stalder figures include Johann Rudolf Stalder, a Swiss pastor and author, and Friedrich Stalder, a prominent engineer and inventor during the industrial revolution. Today, the Stalder family is found in various parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, with most descendants retaining their original Swiss heritage.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Sta ines (Last name)

surnames > sta-ines

The last name "Sta. Ines" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the name of Saint Agnes, a popular Christian saint venerated in the Catholic Church.

Sta isabel (Last name)

surnames > sta-isabel

The last name "Sta. Isabel" originates from Spain. It is derived from the Spanish words "Santa" meaning "saint" and "Isabel" meaning "Elizabeth."

Sta maria (Last name)

surnames > sta-maria

The last name "Sta. Maria" is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It literally means "Saint Mary" in Spanish and Portuguese, and it is often used as a surname in honor of the Virgin ...

Sta romana (Last name)

surnames > sta-romana

The surname "Sta Romana" originates from the Spanish language and likely has roots in the Roman Catholic tradition. It may derive from the name of a place, such as a town or region...

Sta teresa (Last name)

surnames > sta-teresa

The last name "Sta. Teresa" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Christian saint Teresa of Ávila, who was a prominent Spanish mystic and writer during the 16th century. Th...

Staana (Last name)

surnames > staana

The surname Staana is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the Finnish word for "stop" or "halt," possibly indicating someone who worked as a gatekeeper or in a similar role.

Staanna (Last name)

surnames > staanna

The last name "Staanna" does not appear to have a known origin or meaning in English. It does not correspond to any common surnames or language roots.

Stabile (Last name)

surnames > stabile

The last name Stabile is of Italian origin and is derived from the Latin word "stabilis," meaning stable or steady. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was considere...

Stable (Last name)

surnames > stable

The last name "Stable" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "stapul" meaning "post" or "pillar." It likely originated as an occupational surname for someon...

Stachnik (Last name)

surnames > stachnik

The surname "Stachnik" is of Slavic origin, specifically from Eastern Europe, primarily Poland and Czech Republic. It is derived from the word "stačno" which means "enough" or "pl...

Stacholski (Last name)

surnames > stacholski

The last name "Stacholski" is of Polish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Stach," which is a diminutive of the name Stanislaw. This surname is most commonly found in Po...

Stachow (Last name)

surnames > stachow

Stachow is a Polish surname of Slavic origin. It is derived from the given name "Stach," which is a diminutive of the name "Stanislaw." The name likely originated as a patronymic o...

Stachurski (Last name)

surnames > stachurski

The surname "Stachurski" is of Polish origin. It derives from the occupational name for someone who was a miller or baker, specifically one who used stakes to support his oven or m...

Staciaki-da-luz (Last name)

surnames > staciaki-da-luz

The surname "Staciaki da Luz" is of Portuguese origin. "Staciaki" is likely a variant of the name "Stacey," while "da Luz" translates to "of the light" in Portuguese. It is possibl...

Stad (Last name)

surnames > stad

The last name 'Stad' is of German origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "Stadt," which means city or town in German. This surname may have been used to denote someone ...