Surname Merbold - Meaning and Origin
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Merbold: What does the surname Merbold mean?
The last name Merbold is of German origin and is derived from the word “mer”, meaning “a lake or sea”, and “bold”, an old Germanic word for “bold and brave”.
The surname is likely to have evolved from the name of an ancestor who was a “bold” and brave character, perhaps a knight or nobleman who courageously defended his land and served his liege.
In more recent history, famous bearers of the surname Merbold include the German physicist Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Merbold (1882-1973) as well as his son, the astronaut Ulf Merbold (1941-2021), the first West German in space.
The Merbold family is associated with several branches of industry and are noted as entrepreneurs who transitioned from traditional craftsmanship to modern industrial production.
The Merbold surname also exists in other countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
In short, the Merbold surname signifies a legacy of bravery, leadership, industry, and success. It carries the proud heritage of a noble clan whose courage and resourcefulness have enabled the family to survive and thrive over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMerbold: Where does the name Merbold come from?
The last name Merbold is most commonly found throughout Germany today. It is likely to be of German origin, and its spelling variations can include Merbold, Marbald, Marbold, Marbal, Marbole, Merbald, and Marboldt. It is also found in other areas of Europe, including the Netherlands, Austria, and Hungary.
The name most likely originated as a nickname of sorts, given to a person who was brave or strong enough to act or fight like a "bold," or courageous, warrior. It could also be associated with a person from a small settlement known as Marbelum, which is in modern day Alsfeld, Germany.
In some cases, the name might also be derived from a place-name such as Marbel, which is located in the German state of Thuringia, north of Frankfurt. It is an ancient settlement that originated in the Middle Ages and was first recorded in 1099 when it was included in the Papal Bull of Pope Urban II. The name was also used in records regarding church and land ownership since the 12th century.
Merbold can also be found in other parts of the world, including in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Overall, Merbold is a surname with ancient roots in Germanic Europe, and it is still most commonly found in this region of the world today.
Variations of the surname Merbold
The Merbold surname is believed to be of German origin, with variations in spelling having evolved over time. It can also be written as Merboltz, Marbold, Marboltz, Marbould, and Marboultz.
The original spelling of the surname is Merbolt, derived from mer, meaning 'fame', and bolt, meaning 'lightning'. The surname may have referred to someone who was thought of as 'famous and dazzling'.
The variant Marbold is derived from an older spelling of the family name, marebold. This version may have emerged as a nickname for someone who was thought of as 'brave' or 'bold', due to the fact that 'mare' is derived from the Old Germanic marah, which means 'horse'.
The spelling Martold is actually derived from a merger of two different titles - the Old Germanic word marah, meaning 'horse', and the Old Germanic word wald, which is related to 'rule'. The combination of the two words may have referred to someone who was in a position of power or authority.
The surname Marbolz has also evolved over time, and is thought to have arisen from a combination of the German words marah, meaning 'horse', and bolz, meaning 'prattle'. This could have been bestowed upon someone who talked too much, or it may have simply referred to a horse-riding messenger.
The surname Marbould is likely to have emerged from the combination of the Old Germanic mare, meaning 'horse', and bold, meaning 'brave'. It could have been a nickname for someone considered to be 'bold and daring', or it could refer to someone who was a proficient horse rider.
The spelling Marboultz is another variant that is believed to have emerged from the merger of marah, meaning 'horse', and boltz, meaning 'thunder'. This could have been a nickname for someone brave and talented, or perhaps even a name for a skilled horseman delivering thunderous messages.
Famous people with the name Merbold
- Ulrich Merbold: German physicist and one of the first European astronauts who flew an American space shuttle mission.
- Franz Merbold: German businessman, politician, and mineralogist, and one of the founders of the University of Freiburg.
- Jochen Merbold: German physicist and professor of experimental physics at the University of Freiburg.
- Hermann Merbold: German doctor, geologist and mountaineer who was one of the most important mountain explorers of the 19th century.
- Werner Merbold: German aviator and World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.
- Pio Merbold: Italian priest and missionary who was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
- Jakob Merbold: Swiss painter, draftsman and printmaker who worked in Basel and Vienna during the seventeenth century.
- Elisabeth Merbold: German peace activist and winner of the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Services to Human Rights in 1993.
- Michael Merbold: Austrian ski-jumper who tied for second place in the 1956 Winter Olympics.
- Franz Joseph Merbold: Austrian soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and War of the Third Coalition.