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Yoder
is a surname originating in the Canton of Berne in Switzerland.
The surname is a shortened version of St. Theodorus, the
first Roman Catholic bishop of Octodurum in present day
Martigny, Switzerland. Theodorus -- also known as St. Theodore
of Grammont, St. Theodule, and St. Joder -- is the patron
saint of Triesenberg, Liechtenstein.
Etymology
The surname Yoder is derived from the
name Theodorus. Distinguished University of Notre Dame theologian
John Howard Yoder has explained step-by-step how the evolution
from Theodorus to Yoder was the result of simple, normal
changes in pronunciation. The surname Yoder probably developed
from the name Theodorus by taking the following turns:
Sanctus Theodorus
Sanctus Tjordorus
Sankt Tjoder
Sant Tjoder
Sant Joder
(Saint) Yoder
The name Joder is most common in Switzerland and is widespread
there. In the United States, the leap from "Joder"
to "Yoder" was natural because the English spelling
of the latter name phonetically reflects the German pronunciation
of the name.
Alternate
spellings of the surname include Joder,
Jordi, Jodier, Yodis, Yordi, Yordy, Jotter, Ioder, Yother,
Yothers, Yotter, Yodeler...
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