Surname Sowder - Meaning and Origin
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Sowder: What does the surname Sowder mean?
The surname Sowder is generally believed to be of English origin and it has possible occupational roots. Derived from the Old English term 'sudere,' which means 'to boil' or 'seethe', it was used to describe someone who worked as a 'sowderer' or 'one who sold uncooked food by the pot.' Over time, phonetic variations of the name occurred, including Sowden, Sowdon, Souden, and Souter, among others. Alternatively, it could be a regional name, alluding to individuals who hailed from a place known as Sowden in England. The lower certainty about the exact origin of the surname Sowder is due to the multi-dimensional development of surnames over centuries. What can be confirmed though, is that it arose from the British Isles and has a lineage dating back many hundred years, offering an interesting insight into the industrial or regional heritage of the bearers of this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSowder: Where does the name Sowder come from?
The last name Sowder is most commonly found in the United States, where it is ranked as the 4,062nd most common last name. According to Ancestry.com's U.S. Surname Map, the states with the highest number of people with this last name are Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
The Sowder name has been part of the US for many generations and migrated here from Germany, France, and England during the 1600s and 1700s. It has since spread mainly throughout the Appalachian region, and is still found most commonly in that region today.
The original meaning of the name is thought to have come from the Old English-language word "sauer" which means "maker of salt", indicating that some of the original Sowder bearers worked in the salt-making industry.
There could also be a connection to the Latin word "sodalis" which meant "colleague" or "companion" and is the origin of the modern-day English word "soda".
Regardless of the original origins of the name, it is clear that the Sowder name is steeped in history. As the years have passed, the name has been discovered in various parts of the United States, allowing families to trace their heritage and discover a bit of their own past with this unique surname.
Variations of the surname Sowder
Sowder is a surname, most commonly found among those of Anglo-Saxon or Germanic descent. It is derived from a Middle English word, sowder, which means “swiftly” or “speedy”. Variants of this surname include Sowders, Sowter, and Souder.
The spelling of this name has been recorded in various documents, including a 13th-century Pipe Roll in Somerset, England, spelling it as Sowder, and a 15th-century marriage license for a John Sowders spelling it as Sowders. Over time, different variants of the name have been used to accommodate various regional dialects and accents.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, various versions of Sowder can be found. Examples include Sauðr, a Norse name meaning “speedy”, and Sauter, a French version of Sowder.
Other potential spellings and surnames that trace back to a similar origin are Cowter and Cowders, Sewter, Soden and Sowden. In some cases, it may be spelled as Sowther, Souther, Sudder, Suther or Saddier. In Germany, the name may be found spelled as Soudere or Soder.
Therefore, Sowder is a surname with various spellings and variants from various language, time periods and regions. Despite the variations, all of these surnames have a shared origin in the Middle English word for “speedy” – sowder.
Famous people with the name Sowder
1.Spencer Sowder: Professional Drummer and Percussion Instructor 2.Miles Sowder: Actor and Comedian 3.Jo Sowder: Country Music Artist 4.Shauna Sowder: Broadway Actress 5.Holly Sowder: Jazz Singer and Musician 6.Jack Sowder: Award-Winning Film and TV Composer 7.A.J. Sowder: Grammy-Nominated Songwriter and Recording Artist 8.Kyle Sowder: NASCAR Driver 9.Brad Sowder: Major League Baseball Player 10.Sam Sowder: Professional Golfer 11.Bob Sowder: Investment Banker 12.Stephen Sowder: Professional Chef and Restaurateur 13.Nic Sowder: Olympic Decathlete 14.Danny Sowder: Emmy Award-Winning Television Producer 15.Josh Sowder: Videogame Designer 16.Chris Sowder: Professional Football Player 17.Cory Sowder: Realtor 18.Maxine Sowder: Celebrity Makeup Artist 19.Gina Sowder: Award-Winning Radio Talk Show Host 20.Sandra Sowder: Author and Motivational Speaker