Surname Calter - Meaning and Origin
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Calter: What does the surname Calter mean?
The last name Calter is of English origin and derives from the Old French word ‘Caltre’ which means ‘caldron’, or a large, round metal pot used for cooking. The name is likely to have been given to a family who were involved in the production of metal cookware.
The surname was first recorded in the 12th century, when Robert de Calter was noted in the Rolls of Norfolk. Since then, the name has spread throughout England with many variants including Calter, Calthorpe, Carller and Calthrop.
The surname is still relatively rare today and is most common in England and Scotland, although there are also some families with the name in other parts of the British Isles and Europe.
The coat of arms associated with the name is a black shield with a lion rampant between three houses. Above the shield is a helmet and a lion’s face, indicating nobility. The Calter family motto “Sola Honore” (By Honor Alone) is displayed beneath the shield.
The Calter family has a long and distinguished history in the British Isles, and members have made significant contributions to many different areas. From church officials, to prominent politicians and businessmen, the name has been a part of the English landscape for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisCalter: Where does the name Calter come from?
The last name Calter is most commonly found today in the United States, with many people throughout the country tracing the surname back to its first occurrence in America in the late 19th century. While many of these individuals may be descendants of immigrants who first settled in the U.S., there is also a notable presence of Calters spread throughout the country.
In particular, Pennsylvania has several longtime Calter families living throughout the state. Additionally, Calters are scattered throughout other parts of the east coast, particularly in Maryland and New York.
Although not as numerous as some other frequently-occurring American surnames, there are also scattered reports of Calters residing in the Midwest and the Southwest. Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas all have their share of Calters. Likewise, several families with the Calter name are to be found in the Southern states.
Overall, the name is recognizably present throughout most of the United States. While the individual members of the family may be few and far between at times, the legacy and history of the Calter name is quite conspicuous in many areas of the country.
Variations of the surname Calter
The surname Calter is believed to be of French origin, and can be spelled in a number of ways. Spellings of the surname include Calter, Calteau, Caltet, Caltetau, Calteret, Calthauer, Calthau, Calthaus, Calthauzer, Caulteur, and Caultet.
The earliest known recorded document of a Calter is the late 13th Century when Peter Calter, son of Gaucelin Calter, appeared in the records in both Normandy and the adjoining provinces. The Calter family were believed to have lived in Normandy for generations before this.
Throughout the centuries, other variations of the Calter name have appeared, reflecting the sense of loyalty to the family name but also changes in spelling habits and dialects. For example, the French phonetic spelling of Calter would be noted in documents as Caltet or Calteteau.
Other Calter variants have also appeared in Germanic countries including Calthaus, Caltetau, Calthauer and Calthauzer. Meanwhile, the English spelling of Calter has appeared in documents of the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries as Caultet, Caulteter and Caulteur.
Calter is an uncommon surname, but there are many descendants in various countries around the world including France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria and other countries in Europe. In each of these countries there will be variations on the pronunciation and spelling of Calter.
Famous people with the name Calter
- Laina Calter: Laina Calter is an entertainment attorney and former president of Paradise Peak Music Group. She attended Loyola Law School, and her areas of expertise include clearance, trademark, licensing, copyright, and other intellectual property matters.
- Jaylen Calter: Jaylen Calter is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended college at the University of Oregon before being drafted by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft.
- Ryan Calter: Ryan Calter is an American actor who is best known for his roles as Robert Truss in the television series Desperate Housewives and Frank Sherman in the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. He has also had roles in the television series Gossip Girl and Bones.
- Darlene Calter: Darlene Calter is an African-American actress who has acted in films such as Dirty Laundry and The Butler. Her acting career started in the mid-90s, and she has also done voice-over work for multiple series and films.
- Bruce Calter: Bruce Calter is an American businessman and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and CEO of C3 Capture, a digital marketing and analytics company. He is also the co-founder of several other corporations, including NOMINON, an online retailer of smartphones and other electronics.
- JJ Calter: JJ Calter is an American professional baseball player who is currently playing in the Minor League Baseball for the GCL Yankees West of the New York Yankees organization. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and after playing for five minor league seasons, he is expected to make his major league debut during the 2021 season.