This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Alder family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Alder Family History

Alder Surname Meaning

English: topographic name for someone living by an alder tree or by a group of alders from Middle English al(d)re alder.

German: variant of Alter.

German: status name for a senior from Middle High German althērre ‘(respected) older gentleman’.

Americanized form (translation into English) of Swedish Ahl.

Americanized form (translation into English) of Finnish Leppä or Leppänen see Leppanen.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Alder family from?

You can see how Alder families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Alder family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Alder families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 457 Alder families living in London. This was about 20% of all the recorded Alder's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Alder families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Alder surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Alder ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Builders Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Alder. 8% of Alder men worked as a Builders Labourer and 69% of Alder women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Alder were Lorry Driver and Private Means.

View Census Data for Alder | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Builders Labourer
    8%
  • General Labourer
    8%
  • Bricklayer
    5%
  • Lorry Driver
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    69%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Private Means
    2%

What Alder family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 65,000 census records available for the last name Alder. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Alder census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Alder

Passenger Lists

There are 8,000 immigration records available for the last name Alder. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Alder immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 6,000 military records available for the last name Alder. For the veterans among your Alder ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Alder military records

You've only scratched the surface of Alder family history

Discover More

What is the average Alder lifespan?

Between 1950 and 2004, in the United States, Alder life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1953, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Alder in 1950 was 40, and 78 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Alder

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Alder ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Alder family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial