Surname Debolt - Meaning and Origin

Debolt: What does the surname Debolt mean?

The last name Debolt is of French origin and is thought to be derived from the old French name de Bault and its variants such as de Bolle, de Balte, de Ball, des Bault, and des Bol. It’s thought that the name means of the bald, or of the bluff, and may refer to the bald patches of land that were common features of the ancient French landscape. The name was popular in France, but its early history is hard to trace. It only appears in records from the 19th century onwards, when it began to spread across Europe.

In English-speaking countries, the name has evolved and taken on different meanings. In some cases, it has been shortened to Bolt or Bauld, while in others it remains as Debolt. Originally, the name was used as a nickname to refer to someone with partially or completely bald head. However, by the end of the 19th century, it was being used as an occupational name for a plumber or a roofer. Today, Debolt is a common surname in many parts of the world, and the people who bear it come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have descended from French or German ancestry, while others have developed it locally.

In conclusion, the surname Debolt comes from France and initially meant of the bald or of the bluff. Over time it has changed and been adopted by a variety of people with different backgrounds, evolving into a common surname today.

Debolt: Where does the name Debolt come from?

The last name Debolt is typically associated with German-speaking countries. It is most common in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the eastern parts of France. Today, there are an estimated 15,000 bearers of the Debolt surname living around the world, with the largest populations in the United States and Germany.

In the United States, the last name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, and New York. There is also a large population of Debolt families in Canada, particularly in the Ontario province.

In Germany, the name is most common in the regions of Bayern, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Sachsen. In Austria, Debolt is primarily found in the states Salzburg, Tirol, and Vorarlberg. In France, Debolt is scattered across the northeast region, with a greater concentration of the moniker in Grand Est and Bourgogne-Fraochênes.

The Debolt surname dates back to at least the 13th century and is thought to have originated in the East Germanic language, meaning 'small hill'. Alternative spellings of the surname include Deboughlt, Deboltz, and Debeult.

Variations of the surname Debolt

The surname Debolt has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include DeBolt, Debolt, Debolte, Devault, De Vall, De Valle, De Val, and DeVall.

The surname originated in the Languedoc region of France, and the spellings began to diversify upon the family's arrival to North America in the early 1700s. Prior to this, the name was spelt de Val or de Vall.

DeBolt is believed to be the most commonly used version of the surname today. However, some families continued to use DeVall, De Val, De Valle, or similar spellings.

The French spelling, DeBolte, can be still be found in some of the original immigrant families. It is the result of anglicization of the surname in a hurried or careless fashion.

Variations of the surname can also be found in Belgium, Germany, and England, where the surname is encountered as Debholt, Devall, Devaux, Delvalle, and De Vaux.

Overall, the surname Debolt has a wide diversity of spellings and surnames of the same origin. This variety is largely the result of immigration and anglicization of the spellings of the surname in North America and other areas of Europe.

Famous people with the name Debolt

• Mel Debolt: Mel Debolt is an American journalist, publishing executive and media executive. He is best known for having been vice president and editor in chief of Time Magazine and for his tenure as president at the Rodale Media empire.
• Jared Debolt: Jared Debolt is an American professional snowboarder. He is known for performing tricks in the backcountry and competing in international snowboarding competitions.
• Ernie Debolt: Ernie Debolt is a former American football player. He is most well-known for his service in the NFL and with the Chicago Bears, where he held a record for the most interceptions in a single season with nine.
• Les Debolt: Les Debolt was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He is best known for his time with the Oneida Indians of the Ontario Professional Independent Baseball League in the 1940s.
• Kelly Debolt: Kelly Debolt is a former American professional bodybuilder and personal trainer. She is an IFBB Pro and accomplished Elite-level competitor, winning the Overall Professional Women's Physique division at the Pittsburgh Pro Championships in 2018.
• Mary Kay Debolt: Mary Kay Debolt is a former competitive figure skater. She represented the United States at the 1955 World Figure Skating Championships and also performed on the Ice Capades.
• Hollis Debolt: Hollis Debolt is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He has released four studio albums to date and has performed at songwriter festivals, including the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival.
• Catia Debolt: Catia Debolt is an American technology entrepreneur. She is best known for founding the manufacturing and compliance software company EtQ, Inc. in 1999.
• Fernando Debolt: Fernando Debolt is a Major League Baseball umpire who started his career in 2017. He is the first Latino umpire in the history of the World Series.
• Jack Debolt: Jack Debolt is a Green Beret and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was decorated with numerous awards for his bravery and courage during battle.

Other surnames

DeboldDeboldt