Surname Drabolt - Meaning and Origin

Drabolt: What does the surname Drabolt mean?

The surname Drabolt is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'drabmolt', which translates to mean 'black mould'. It is thought to have been originally used as a habitational name to refer to someone who lived near or in an area with a large amount of black mould. This was most likely a damp area with poor air circulation, such as a valley, cave, or other hidden place.

The Drabolt family can be traced back to the 1300s in the area known today as Lower Saxony. The first recorded instance of the name was from 1435, when the birth of Anne Dame Drabmolt was documented by a local parish. Over the years, spelling variations of the family name have cropped up, such as Drabmelder, Drebmulde, Drabmoltze, and Drebmolt.

Today, the Drabolt family is widely spread across Germany, with members living in almost all of the country’s 16 states. It is also found in other parts of the world, such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The name Drabolt still carries the same main meaning as it did centuries ago: a person who lives in a damp area or near a place with a lot of black mould. As such, those who bear the name are seen as down-to-earth and practical people who value hard work and perseverance.

Drabolt: Where does the name Drabolt come from?

The last name Drabolt is most commonly found in the United States, with the majority of individuals bearing the name located in the Midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The Drabolt surname can also be found in European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland.

Drabolt was likely derived from the Slavic words dorabat meaning "to work" or "to provide", referring to an ancestor who was a skilled worker. This occupational origin is supported by the fact that Drabolt is found mainly in regions with strong Slavic cultural influence.

Today, the Drabolt surname is still widespread throughout the US Midwest. The 2000 census records show 1,027 people with the last name in Ohio, 838 in Michigan, and 552 in Indiana. As of 2020, the name appears to be most frequent in these states, suggesting that a large portion of the original Drabolt descendants still live there today.

Beyond the US, the Drabolt surname is also common in Poland, where it is spelled Drebotła. One branch of the Drabolt family is believed to have left Poland for the US in the late 19th century, likely to escape growing political and economic turmoil. Today, Drabolt is also found in Germany, where it is spelled Dräboldt, and in the UK, though there is no data available about the current number of Drabolt individuals in either country.

Variations of the surname Drabolt

Drabolt is a surname of Germanic origin. It is derived from 'drab' or 'drab-holt,' which originated in Old High German and means literally 'dark wood.' It is likely that this surname originated in lands of the Holy Roman Empire, where it was used to distinguish from other similarly named individuals.

Variant spellings of Drabolt include Drabold, Draboldt, Drebold, Dreboldt, Dreibold, Dreibolt, Draebold, Draebolt, Draeboltz, Dreiboltz, Drabhalt, Drabhaltz, Drabholtz, and Draeboltz.

Surnames derived from its root include Drabold, Draebel, Draeper, Drappier, and Trappier. There are several alternate spellings of these surnames, as well.

The form of the surname varies depending on the location of the family's origin. In the Netherlands, it has been spelled as Drabble and Drabblet in Germany as Drebold and Dreibold. In the United States it is mostly spelled Drabolt, Drabold, or Draboldt.

Drabolt has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, which reflects its important role in Germanic history. The fact that these variants are still in usage today is a testament to its resilience and importance in Germanic naming.

Famous people with the name Drabolt

• Dana Drabolt: American fashion model
• Carla Drabolt: former leader of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Tom Drabolt: American former professional basketball player
• Kurt Drabolt: American former college baseball coach
• Kenny Drabolt: American former National Football League player
• Nick Drabolt: American former professional basketball player
• Anthony Drabolt: American sportscaster and former head basketball coach
• Ashley Drabolt: former American professional soccer player
• Carl Drabolt: American former professional baseball pitcher
• Michael Drabolt: former American football quarterback

Other surnames

Drabold