Yoder
A Swiss and South German surname that likely comes from a shortened form of a personal name, especially one related to Jodocus or similar forms.
The #598 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 5,473 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Yoder is generally treated as a Germanic surname formed from a short form of a personal name rather than from a place or occupation. In older Swiss and South German usage, it is often linked to names such as Jodocus, with the surname developing from a familiar spoken form. The spelling also reflects dialect and spelling variation, which is common in German-speaking immigrant surnames.
History
The name is especially associated with Swiss Anabaptist and Mennonite families, and it became well known in North America through migration from German-speaking Europe. In American records, spellings were often stabilized as Yoder even when older forms varied locally. It remains strongly associated with Pennsylvania German and Swiss-descended communities.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Yoder is one of the best-known surnames in Amish and Mennonite communities in the United States.
From the historical record
“Yingst = Jiingst, Yoder=Goder, Yohn = John, Yost = Jost, Young = Jung. Zarcher= Ziircher,”
— Studies in Pennsylvania German Family Names