Surname Harrold - Meaning and Origin
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Harrold: What does the surname Harrold mean?
The last name Harrold is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Hereweald", composed of the elements "here", which means army, and "weald", which means rule. Therefore, the surname Harrold can be interpreted to mean "ruler of the army". It is a name that was given to an individual who held a position of leadership or command within a military unit during medieval times. Over time, it evolved into a family surname. Variations of the surname Harrold include Harold, Herold, Harrold, Harald, and others. Like many surnames, the specific interpretation and origin can vary based on region and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrold: Where does the name Harrold come from?
The last name Harrold is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the English first name Hereweald, which comprises of the elements 'here', which signifies ‘army’, and 'weald', meaning ‘ruler’. Hence, Harrold essentially translates to 'army power' or 'ruler of the army'. The surname was first used during the Middle Ages as a personal name and later became a hereditary surname.
In terms of its geographical prevalence, Harrold is more common in the United States. According to recent census statistics, the last name Harrold ranks as the 6563rd most common surname in the United States. Though it is found throughout the country, it is more prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic and the South. However, due to historical patterns of migration, the surname can also be found in countries like England, Australia, Canada, and Scotland. It is not among the most common surnames in these countries, but its presence is still significant. Despite that, the surname's high concentration in the United States suggests that it is the most common place for people bearing the last name Harrold.
Variations of the surname Harrold
The surname Harrold is a variation of the name Harold, which hails from the Old English names Hereweald and Herwald meaning "army power". It was popular in medieval England thanks to the Scandinavian influence. Several variations of the name Harrold have emerged over time due to regional dialects and different spellings, including Herold, Herrold, Hareld, Harreld, Heralds, Harolds, and Harrald.
In some cases, Harrold may have also originated from the combination of a place name and "Old English hereweald", as in the case of the English hamlet Harrow Weald in Middlesex. Harrow could occasionally be seen as a spelling variant.
As a surname, Harrold and its variants have spread throughout the English-speaking world including Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and the United States. Irish spelling variations can be due to language translation discrepancies such as O'Herlahy or Harlo.
Due to the complexities of immigrations and linguistic transformations, more variations exist such as Harrolle, Harroldson, Heriolde, Haralde and Harolde. Regardless of spelling, all versions maintain the same origin and core meaning.
Famous people with the name Harrold
- Glenn Lee Harrold: He is a British author and hypnotherapist, famous for writing books for self-help.
- Richard Harrold: He is a prominent professional golfer who hails from Scotland.
- S. Page Dickey (Birth Name: Sarah Page Harrold): She is a famous garden designer, speaker, and author from America.
- Kevin Harrold: He is a renowned Australian rugby player.
- Hugh Harrold: He is an ex-professional cricket player from Australia.
- Jennifer Harrold: She is an American former beauty queen, being crowned Miss Indiana in 1974.
- Amanda Harrold: She’s an actress known for her role in the popular series, 'The Bill'.
- Zara Harrold: A rising British actress who has appeared in TV shows such as 'Holby City'.
- Dylan Harrold: He is a well-recognised camera operator in the Hollywood industry.
- Geoff Harrold: Another athletic figure originally from Australia, Geoff Harrold is a retired Australian rules footballer. While the list may not be exhaustive, these are some of the most notable figures with the last name Harrold.