Save Type Surname (from given name) Usage Yiddish Scripts זעלדעס(Yiddish) Pronounced Pron. /ˈzel.des/ [key·simplify] Meaning & History An eastern Ashkenazic matronymic surname derived from the Yiddish female personal name Zelde (from the Middle High German word sælde meaning either 'fortunate', 'blessed', or 'happiness'.)