What nationality is my last name? "Holder"?

Question: What nationality is my last name!? "Holder"!?

My last name is "Holder", and I have no idea what nationality that is!. My friend's dad said it's Irish, but I have no idea!. My nationality is all over Europe, except Italian, I know that, so yea, I have no idea!. Does anyone else know what nationality it might be !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

In my 40 years of research I have seen Holder as English, Irish, and even once Austrian!. the only way to know for sure what your particular lineage is and where theyhail from is to do the research and find out and document it!. A fact without documentation is no better than a fairytale!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

German: topographic name for someone who lived by an elder tree, Middle High German holder, or from a house named for its sign of an elder tree!. In same areas, for example Alsace, the elder tree was believed to be the protector of a house!.
Jewish (Ashkenazic): ornamental name from German Holder ‘elder tree’!.
English (chiefly western counties): occupational name for a tender of animals, from an agent derivative of Middle English hold(en) ‘to guard or keep’ (Old English h(e)aldan)!. It is possible that this word was also used in the wider sense of a holder of land within the feudal system!. Compare Helder!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

EnglishWww@QuestionHome@Com