Surname Oswald - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Surname Roots and Personal Identity Through iGENEA DNA Testing

With the aid of the technically robust and accurate testing at iGENEA, I embarked on a journey to uncover the lineage of my surname, Oswald. The data derived from the DNA test not only revealed surprising Germanic origins but also helped better understand the historical roots of my surname, signifying the migratory path of my ancestors.

O. Oswald

Oswald: What does the surname Oswald mean?

The surname Oswald is of Old German origin, deriving from the personal name Oswald. It is a compound of two elements: "os," meaning god, and "wald," meaning rule or power. Therefore, the name essentially translates to "divine power" or "God's rule." The name Oswald became popular in England due to St. Oswald, a 7th century king of Northumbria who is considered a Christian saint. Over time, it developed into a patronymic surname passed down from generation to generation. It should be noted that the meaning of a surname does not typically have any influence on its bearer's life or traits.

Oswald: Where does the name Oswald come from?

The last name Oswald is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. It originates from the Old English personal name "Osweald", which is a compound of "os" (god) and "weald" (power or rule). Thus the name can be translated as "divine power". This name was popular among the Anglo-Saxons due to Saint Oswald of Northumbria, a 7th-century king and saint.

Oswald is a relatively common surname in the modern world. In general, it is most prevalent in the United States, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. According to Forebears, a website that provides details on the distribution of surnames across the globe, South Africa, surprisingly, also has a high number of individuals bearing the surname Oswald. In terms of density, it is most densely found in Liechtenstein, followed by Austria.

Variations of the surname Oswald

The surname Oswald has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Some common alterations to the spelling of Oswald include Oswell, Oswill, Oswold, Osould, and Osewald, often depending on regional pronunciation.

Further, the surname has also developed into other related surnames like Oswaldson, Oswalt, Oswal, Oswalde, and Osswald. In some cases, this surname could also be shortened as Os, Ose, and Oss in fewer instances.

The surname Oswald is derived from the Old English words 'os', which means 'god', and `weald’, which means 'rule'. It is also of Germanic origin and derived from the Old Germanic words ‘ans’ meaning ‘divine’ or ‘deity’ and ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule’.

Therefore, other surnames with similar meanings of 'divine rule' in different languages and regions could also be considered variants. Examples can be Ansgar and Answald from Germany, Ožbolt from Slovenia, as well as Osvaldo and Osvald from Italy.

However, it is crucial to remember that while these names are linguistically or thematically linked, they might not necessarily signify the same family lineage.

Famous people with the name Oswald

• Lee Harvey Oswald: Lee Harvey Oswald is a name known for his suspicion in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He was born in New Orleans in 1939, served in the Marines, and had connections to other countries while living in the United States. He was arrested and shot by a Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days after Kennedy's assassination and died from his injuries.
• Robert Oswald: Robert Oswald was Lee Harvey Oswald's brother, who was an auto-mechanic by trade and married a Russian woman. Robert publicly defended his brother, and even went on a media tour in the weeks and months following the assassination of President Kennedy.
• Marguerite Oswald: Marguerite Oswald was Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother. She wrote many letters to the White House in support of her son during his trial and shootings. She also wrote a book called "Lee: A Portrait of Lee Harvey Oswald".
• June Oswald-Porter: June Oswald-Porter was Lee Harvey's widow. She was married to Lee for just four months before his death and his arrest. After Oswald's death she remarried and took her new husband's last name. She never publicly discussed her marriage to Lee.
• Leon Oswald: Leon Oswald was Lee's older brother, and served in the Air Force while Lee served in the Marines. Leon was later a police officer in Fort Worth and worked as an investigator into the murder of President Kennedy.
• Audrey Oswald: Audrey Oswald is the daughter of Leon and sister to Lee. She worked for many years to clear her brother's name in the public eye. She has also written a book about him, titled "Lee Harvey Oswald: Beyond A Reasonable Doubt".
• Robert L. Oswald: Robert L. Oswald was the brother to Robert and Leon. He was the storekeeper of the Oswald family and worked as a commercial fisherman in the Galveston Bay on the Texas coast.

Other surnames

OswalderOswaldtOswalt