Surname Raeder - Meaning and Origin

Raeder: What does the surname Raeder mean?

The surname Raeder is of Germanic origin and it predominantly means "Wheelwright". A wheelwright historically was an artisan who specialized in creating and repairing wooden wheels for various uses such as wagons, carriage or carts. Hence, it is likely that those bearing the "Raeder" surname have ancestors who were professionals in this industry. It is also worth mentioning that in Old German, "rad" stands for wheel, further reinforcing the meaning associated with this surname. The spelling of the name may vary, with "Rader", "Reader", "Rhader", or "Raderer" being some common examples. Like many other surnames that originated from job titles, the name Raeder gives a glimpse into the familial history and past occupations associated with its lineage.

Raeder: Where does the name Raeder come from?

The last name Raeder is a German name derived from the Old German names Radari and Raderi. It is most commonly found in Germany, Denmark and Sweden today.

In Germany, it is considered a common surname, although it is most concentrated in the state of Bavaria. It is especially common in the the historical region of Franconia and the surrounding area.

In Denmark, the Raeder surname is most concentrated in the West Jutland region. There are also pockets of the Raeder surname in the southern parts of the country around the cities of Copenhagen and Odense.

In Sweden, the Raeder surname is most commonly found in the southern regions of Halland, Scania, Blekinge and Öland islands.

Today, Raeder is still an uncommon name in the United States, Australia and Canada. It is found mostly among families who trace their ancestry back to Europe, particularly the Nordic countries and Germany.

Variations of the surname Raeder

Raeder is a German surname derived from the word 'Räder', which means wheel or rotation. Variations of this surname include Radar, Rader, Raider, Rador, Reeder, Readar, Reder, Redor, Redur, Riader, Rider, and Redar.

Raeder is most commonly spelled with double 'e' in the middle, though the single ‘e’ variant, Reeder, is still popular. Other spellings are usually derived from regions or dialects, which can be extremely varied. In some cases, the 'D' has been replaced with a 'T', ending up with Rator or Redor, though this is less common.

Raeder is also found as a modification of the Swedish surname Raidär, and the German variant Reder. Some people might have adopted this name from the Old German 'raed', meaning 'advice'. It can also be derived from the Middle High German 'reten', which means to 'calculate or consider'.

Overall, Raeder is an occupational surname, originally given to those who created and used wheels- a craft which was highly respected in the Middle Ages. Today, it is mainly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, though it has experienced some expansion to nearby countries.

Famous people with the name Raeder

• Carl Raeder (1870–1935), also known as Karl Raeder, a German World War I naval commander.
• Mike Raeder (born 1981), an American professional ice hockey player.
• Inga Raeder (born 1941), a German opera singer.
• Sean Raeder (born 1981) an American stuntman, actor, and television host.
• Georg Raeder (1911–1942), a German fighter pilot during World War II.
• Wilhelm Raeder (1883–1960), a German admiral during both World Wars.
• Hans Raeder (1903–1945), a German U-boat commander in World War II.
• Henry Raeder (1862–1930), an American artist best known for his works on the Hudson River School.
• Viktor Raeder (1862–1908), an Austrian novelist.
• Ronny Raeder (born 1974), a German footballer and manager.

Other surnames

Raedecke