Surname Perthold - Meaning and Origin
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Perthold: What does the surname Perthold mean?
The last name Perthold is of German origin, which means that the surname was likely brought over from German speaking immigrants to other countries. This surname likely derived from the Middle High German word "perhtolt" which means “bold or courageous”.
Historically, this surname was used to identify someone who had great courage and bravery. For example, in historic German records, the name was given to brothers who had the courage and bravery to stand up to a group of armed robbers and protect their family. They were greatly respected in their community and so later generations of their family took on the surname as a way to carry on this memory.
Today, it is not unusual to find people with the Perthold surname all over the world. Although the meaning of the name may have been lost over time, many people still identify with the traditional meaning of the name, valuing courage and bravery in their daily lives.
Order DNA origin analysisPerthold: Where does the name Perthold come from?
The surname Perthold is currently most commonly found in Germany, where it is borne by approximately 1,250 people. It is also somewhat common in Austria, with roughly 360 people using the name. Additionally, there are several dozen Pertholds living in the United States, mostly concentrated in the Midwest.
The origin of the name Perthold is Germanic and it is derived from the given name Peraht, which came from the Proto-Germanic "perhaz." It was a nickname, given to someone strong or brave. Over time, it became a surname used by the descendants of the original people who bore the name.
Today, Perthold is a surname that is mostly found among people who trace their ancestry back to Germany or Austria. Those in the US who bear the name likely have roots that can be traced back to the 19th century.
The surname is still found in small numbers across various countries. In the United States, those who possess the surname are most likely descended from people who emigrated from Germany or Austria in the 19th century and who continue to regard the name with nostalgia and pride.
Variations of the surname Perthold
Perthold is a German surname that first appeared in medieval records dating as far back as the 13th century. It was commonly found in the northern regions of Germany, particularly within the Prussian provinces and currently features in numerous records throughout the world.
Variants of the Perthold surname include Perlhold, Perlthold, Pelthold, and Pelhold. It is possible that the surname may have originally derived from the famous French name Bètholde. In some instances, the variants of the surname can appear in various geographical locations and, in some cases, use different spellings.
Within Prussia, known variants of the Perthold surname included Pergtholt, Berengtholt, Reinhardtholt, Bartkotholt, and Nungertholt. Meanwhile, Hartholt, Weideltholt, and Ungerthold were common variant spellings in Bavaria and Baruth. The surname also exists in various Anglicized forms, including Perthalt, Pylthold, Parkthold, Persthold, and Parthold.
Although most variants of the surname Perthold suggest a German origin or origin in a German-speaking region, some variants appear to be derived from other countries. Perlhold exists in several countries, including Hungary, Austria, and the Ukraine, while Parktholt appears in records associated with the Netherlands.
Regardless of geographical location or nationality, the surname Perthold remains a unique and fascinating name of Germanic origin. It is a testament to the diversity of the immigrant populations that inhabit the nations today, and it continues to be a source of identity for many people across the world.
Famous people with the name Perthold
- Larry Perthold Jr.: American actor best known for his roles in the television series Malcolm in the Middle and the X-Men films.
- June Perthold: a contestant on ABC's hit show Wipeout and has appeared in various television programs.
- Vance Perthold: a former professional NASCAR driver and race car builder, and owner of StarRaceCars team.
- Celia Perthold: an American actress best known for starring in films such as Jingle All the Way and Denver, the Last Dinosaur.
- Karl Perthold: a German Olympic skier and world record holder.
- Frank Perthold: a former professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for more than three decades.
- Schroeder Perthold: a professional soccer player who has competed in the Europa League and the U.S. Open Cup.
- Eric Perthold: a professional American football player who has played for the Cleveland Browns.
- Tracy Perthold: an author and professor whose research interests include wildlife biology, conservation, and ecology.
- Chris Perthold: a former professional baseball pitcher who played for a variety of teams in various parts of the world, including the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays.