Surname Harold - Meaning and Origin

Harold: What does the surname Harold mean?

The surname Harold is of English origin and is derived from the Old English personal name "Hereweald", comprised of the elements "here", meaning army, and "weald", meaning power, leader or ruler. Therefore, the literal meaning of the surname Harold is "army ruler" or "leader of the army". Over time, variations of this surname have emerged, including Harrold, Haroldson, and Harroldson. Despite its English origin, it is popular in other English-speaking countries as well. Today, many people bearing this surname can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. As with other surnames, during the Middle Ages, it emerged to help populations differentiate people with common first names.

Harold: Where does the name Harold come from?

The surname Harold is of Old English and Scandinavian origin. It comes from the Old English personal name “Hereweald” and the Old Norse name “Haraldr”, both composed of elements meaning “army” and “power” or “leader”. It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and Normans, often bestowed upon military leaders.

As a surname, Harold may have originated as a patronymic name, referring to "son of Harold", or as a cognomen, an identifier to distinguish persons bearing the same personal name. It first surfaced in ancient British history in the county of Leicestershire.

In terms of prevalence today, the last name Harold is uncommon. However, it can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The most Harold families were found in the USA in 1880. Despite its geographical spread, it remains relatively rare, ranking at 17,162 in terms of popularity in the United States and 6,265 in England & Wales.

Variations of the surname Harold

The surname Harold is associated with Irish, English and Scandinavian origins. Variations of the name, especially from the Irish origin, include Hareld, Harrold, and Herold. Another variant is Herrold. The surname Harold was derived from the personal name Harold and is very ancient. Sometimes, it can also be an Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hArailt, meaning ‘descendant of Arailt’, a personal name from Old Norse Haraldr.

In the English and Scandinavian origins, it is linked with the Old English words "here-weald," which mean "army power," "hereweald," or the Old Norse name "Haraldr." Variants in these contexts include Harald, Herald, Herrold, and Harrold. Some English families with this heritage can also trace their surname back to Harrold, a place-name deriving from "here-weald".

Different regions or households within these ethnic roots may also have their unique spelling or pronunciation based on dialects or family traditions. So, there might be other less common variations. Regardless of spelling variations, these surnames link back to the same origin and meanings.

Famous people with the name Harold

• Kim Harold: A noted cartoonist and illustrator.
• Gale Harold: An American actor known for his roles in "Queer as Folk" and "Desperate Housewives".
• Kevin Harold: An Australian cricket umpire.
• Eddie Harold: A former professional American football player.
• Sarah Harold: A British actress known for her theatre performances.
• Tom Harold: An English professional rugby league footballer.
• Robert Harold: A known Canadian cinematographer.
• John Harold: A British radio presenter.
• Anthony Harold: A British author and journalist.
• Susan Harold: An American actress.
• Harold Harold: Not necessarily a last name, but the repetition makes it worth mentioning: Harold Harold is a character in the Marvel Universe.
• Ryan Harold: An actor with small roles in well-known TV series. Keep in mind that some of these individuals might not be 'famous' in the traditional sense, as fame can be subjective based on region or interest in a particular field.

Other surnames

Haroldson