Surname Molden - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Molden: What does the surname Molden mean?
The surname Molden is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "molde" meaning "earth" or "soil", and "denu" meaning "valley". Therefore, it may originally describe a person who lived near or worked in a valley with particularly rich or distinctive soil. It could also indicate someone who worked with soil, such as a farmer or gardener. This surname may also have geographical ties to a location known as Molden in the United Kingdom. Like many surnames, over centuries and generations, the name Molden has likely been used in various regions and taken on different cultural and locational nuances. While the specific meaning can differ based on geographical and historical contexts, generally it is rooted in occupation or location.
Order DNA origin analysisMolden: Where does the name Molden come from?
The last name Molden is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire. However, the name is less common today than it was during the 19th century, when many Moldens emigrated from Great Britain to the United States. It is also common in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
It is thought that the last name Molden is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and derived from the old English word "molden", meaning a person with a large stature or an individual from the Midlands. The term is also linked to the surname Holden, which is thought to have derived from the words "hol" (hollow) and "denu" (valley).
The name Molden can be found in British census records from the 19th century, and is still widely used throughout the United Kingdom. It is also common in the United States, especially in the Midwest, and is prevalent in the Southern states from Virginia to Texas. Similarly, census records in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada also indicate a high degree of usage for the last name Molden today.
Variations of the surname Molden
The Molden surname has quite a few variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin. These include Moulden, Moldin, Moldon, Moldning, Moldonin, and Mouldon.
The spelling Moulden is typically seen in England and Scotland and is a variation of the English oral name Molden, believed to have come from a place name of Old English origin, meaning ‘at the sandy hill’. (Note that some sources suggest that this form of the name may be an Irish form of the Norman name Maulden or Moulton, although this is by no means established).
The spelling Moldin is a variant of this name, originating from the German, and it is believed to be derived from Moltin, a regional name meaning ‘the miller’. In other cases, this spelling is a shortening or spelling variant of the Norse name Molden, meaning ‘settlement on the Maela river’.
The spelling Moldon probably comes from a place name connected to a place called Mold, in Flintshire, Wales. It is believed that this spelling originated from the Welsh ‘moel’, meaning ‘bare hill’.
The spelling Moldning may also be derived from a place name, this time from an area in Sweden near the Baltic Sea. It is believed that this name represents the Swedish word ‘molding’, a generic term for the ancient bordering markers of land.
The spelling Moldonin is derived from the nordic name Molden and may possibly mean ‘brave’, ‘valiant’ or ‘strong’.
Finally, the spelling Mouldon is likely a variant of Maulden, from the personal name le Mode or le Maud, meaning ‘the mode’, or ‘the maud’, indicating a fashionable man.
Famous people with the name Molden
- Steven Molden: Steven Molden is a Grammy-nominated British-born record producer, songwriter and audio engineer. His work includes co-writing and producing tracks for major artists such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Estelle and Taio Cruz.
- Ella Molden: Ella Molden is an actress known for her roles in the films “Uncle John” and “A Night at the Silent Planet”.
- Jarah Molden: Jarah Molden is an American football player who played for the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
- Franklin Molden: Franklin Molden is a British radio and television presenter, best known for hosting shows on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC 2. He is also a published author and a published photographer.
- Ryan Molden: Ryan Molden is a professional snowboarder known for his big air and slopestyle competitions.
- Brian Molden: Brian Molden is a British-born actor and theater director. He was nominated for the Best Direction at the 2007 Laurence Olivier Awards for Twelfth Night.
- John Molden: John Molden is a British television writer and producer known for his work on the popular medical drama series, “Holby City”.
- Elizabeth Molden: Elizabeth Molden is a Broadway actress, best known for her work in the hit musical “The Producers” and “Wicked”.
- David Molden: David Molden is a British musician and composer, best known for his work with film directors Tim Burton and Steven Spielberg.