Holder (surname)

The surname Holder is of primarily English and German origin. It has multiple possible origins and meanings:

• English: It can be a topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill, derived from the Middle English "hold," meaning a hill or slope. It could also be an occupational name for someone who held land or an office, derived from the Middle English "holder," meaning someone who holds. Finally, it could be a habitational name from a place named with this word.

• German: In German, it can be a variant of Hölder, a topographic name for someone who lived near an elder tree (Holunder in German), or a habitational name from a place named with elder trees. It can also be a patronymic or metronymic from the given name "Holda," a female personal name associated with a benevolent supernatural being in Germanic mythology.

The surname Holder is found in various countries, including England, Germany, the United States, and Canada, often reflecting the migrations of individuals and families over time. The frequency and distribution of the name can be analyzed using genealogical resources and census data.