Surname Gerold - Meaning and Origin
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Gerold: What does the surname Gerold mean?
The last name Gerold is a German patronymic surname. It originated from the personal name Gerold, from the Germanic elements ‘ger’ meaning ‘spear’ and ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’. Therefore, the name can be interpreted to mean ‘ruler or master with a spear’.
In the Middle Ages, the name Gerold was associated with warriors and knights, which is why it became a popular surname for warriors or knights who had great strength and leadership qualities. Because of its connection to heroic deeds, the name Gerold was often passed down from father to son and eventually became a surname. Today, the last name Gerold can be found throughout Germany and has spread to other parts of Europe and the world.
Other variants of this surname in German include Gerault, Gerholt and Gerholdt. In addition to these German variations, there is also a Dutch variation, Geerhold.
The name Gerold is quite unique and also bears a great deal of strength and power associated with it. It is a reminder of the heroic deeds of the Germanic warriors and knights of the Middle Ages, and a testament to their courage, strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisGerold: Where does the name Gerold come from?
The last name Gerold is a common name in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
In Germany, Gerold is most commonly found in Bavaria and all of the German states, in particular in the historic regions of Franconia and the Palatinate. Gerold is among the most common last names in Bavaria and ranks as the 93rd most common surname in Germany.
In Austria, Gerold is especially common in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country. Within Austria, it ranks as the 79th most common last name.
The surname Gerold is also common in the United States, primarily amongst the numerous German-American communities. It is especially popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri, states which are home to significant German-speaking populations.
Gerold is a German name that can have many variations, such as Gerhold, Gerloff, Gerling, and Gerlach. The name is derived from the Germanic name 'Gero', meaning warrior or spearman, and could have been the surname of warriors in the medieval era. Historically, the most famous bearer of the Gerold surname is Heinrich Günther Gerlach, a German SS officer who served as minister of food and agriculture in Nazi Germany.
Variations of the surname Gerold
The Gerold family name has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Garold, Geral, Geralt, Gerrall, Gerall, Gereld, Gerell, Gerard, Gerhard, Geroldo, Gerolt, Gerrald, Jerold, and Jerrald.
The Gerold name is thought to have originally derived from the Germanic given name Gerold, which translates to "spear-rule". The name is thought to have referred to a ruler or leader who is skilled in combat and is an effective warrior. Initially, it was primarily found in the area of Swabia in the southern parts of Germany.
The surname is believed to have been adopted by warriors or warriors' families in the 11th century and was subsequently adopted by families in France, Spain, and other parts of Europe. Through the ages, the name has changed from its original spelling. The -d at the end of the original spelling was gradually changed into a -l and then an -i or even a -a.
The family name can also be found in the names Garold, Gerrall, Gerall, and Gerell. The name Gerhard is the German version of the name, and its spelling is retained in the variants of Gereld, Gerolt, and Gerrald which are found in some of the European countries.
The Gerold name is common not just in Germany but also in the United States, which has inherited several variants of the name. These include Jerold, Jerrald, Geroldo, and Geralt. Gerold is also used as a surname in some countries like France and Spain.
Overall, the Gerold family name is of Germanic origin and has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Its many spellings reflect its long journey from Swabia to many parts of Europe and beyond over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Gerold
- Carl Gerold (1838–1923), Austrian obstetrician
- Bernie Gerold (born 1954/55), former American boxer
- Christian Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst (1786–1859), German noble, diplomat and minister under the reign of King Ludwig I
- Countess Eleonore zu Schönburg-Glauchau (1830–1907), movements and salon host in Berlin
- Karl Theodor Gerold (1829–1894), Austrian acid technologist and chemist
- David Gerold (born 1985), former American soccer defender
- Gregor Gerold (born 1990), Austrian professional footballer
- Maria Martha Gerold (1861–1960), German writer and music thinker
- Marty Gerold (born 1958), American retired Major League Baseball pitcher
- Freiherr Gerold von Pappenheim (1909–1964), major of the 1st Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht during World War II