An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Altvordern

by Friedrich Kluge

Altvordern, plural, from the equivalent Middle High German altvordern, Old High German alt-fordoron, masculine plural, ‘forefathers,’ literally ‘the old former ones,’ from Old High German fordoro, ‘farmer.’ With regard to the signification of alt- in this compound, compare Old High German and Middle High German alt-vater ‘grandfather,’ Old High German alt-hêrro, ‘ancestor,’ Old High German alt-mâg,’ forefather.’