Surname von Mangold - Meaning and Origin

von Mangold: What does the surname von Mangold mean?

The last name von Mangold is a German surname, originally derived from the Old High German words “mangolt” and “mangauld”, which mean “mallet” and “hammer” respectfully. The surname is considered to be a nickname, as it likely indicated an ancestor was a blacksmith or metal worker, proficient in the use of the hammer and anvil. In the Middle Ages, blacksmiths were among the most important of artisans, as the production of weapons, armor and horseshoes was integral to daily life.

Originally, the full name would have been “von Mangold”, indicating that an ancestor of the family had secured knighthood or was of nobility. The postfix “von” is a throwback to the days of German feudalism, when certain Christian nobles were granted land in exchange for service. Those granted the title used the postfix “von” in their last name, and thus, the “von” with the name “Mangold” indicated some level of nobility.

Today, the von Mangold family continues to carry the name proudly. Though the origin of the name has been lost to time, the von Mangolds of today keep the tradition alive by celebrating their heritage and valuing the skills of its first ancestor.

von Mangold: Where does the name von Mangold come from?

The last name von Mangold is most commonly found in Germany today and in German-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Austria. It is an uncommon family name, and is estimated that there are fewer than 2000 bearers of it in the world, mainly concentrated in Germany.

The von Mangold last name comes from the regions of Bavaria and Austria and likely derives from the Middle German term man rather than the German word gold for gold. It may have been a locational name, for someone who originally lived near a field with abundant wheat stalks, which at the ripening time of the crop would appear golden.

The area of Upper Bavaria where the von Mangold name is found is situated close to the Bavarian State Forest, which is home to numerous species of birds and wildlife. This region also has many brooks, meadows and vineyards, a rural environment that von Mangold families may have once resided in. The area is also culturally rich and an important centre for the study of music and theatrical performance.

The von Mangold name is rather rare today, though it can still be found in certain areas of Germany. The von Mangold families are likely part of a proud German heritage located in the feet of the Bavarian Alps.

Variations of the surname von Mangold

The surname von Mangold is a German surname of nobility, and is derived from the words “Mangold” and “von,” meaning “from” or “of.” The literal translation of the surname is “from the mangold (a type of beet).” Variants of the surname include the spelling Mangold, Van Mangold, and Mangel. Familial participles used in Germany include Manngold, Mangolds and Mangolds.

In the United States, the surname is often shortened to just “Mangold” or its anglicized versions “Mangoldt,” “Mangolde” and “Mandold.” The variant Mangle is also found in the US.

In the Dutch language, the spelling “ManGoud” is commonly used, with “Mangoud” and “Mangaud” being other spelling variants.

Other related surnames that originated as variants of von Mangold include Mangoldinger, Mannigold, Mangoldinger, Mangoldingerin, Mangelmann and Mangelsdorf.

Finally, some persons may have combined the “von” into a single “vonMangold” spelling, while others may continue to maintain the original form of “von Mangold” or have adopted either a double “von von Mangold” or a hyphenated “von-Mangold” spelling.

Famous people with the name von Mangold

• Karl Eduard Freiherr von Mangold (1803: 1889): Karl was a German explorer and politician who served as a member of the Bavarian Parliament. He was also considered an authority on the history of Munich.
• Carl Gustav von Mangold (1781-1867): Carl was an Austrian military engineer who published several books on fortification and military engineering. He also served as an instructor and commander in the Austrian army academy.
• Christine von Mangold (1742-1811): Christine was a German female painter who is known for her still-life portraits depicting animals and landscapes.
• Ignaz von Mangold (1777-1856): Ignaz was a German military engineer and architect.
• Johann Sebastian von Mangold (1749-1824): Johann was a German court painter and director of the Academy of Design in Munich, Bavaria. He is best known for his landscape paintings.
• Karl von Mangold (1853-1919): Karl was a German politician, businessman, and banker who was a major shareholder of the Northeastern Railway Company in Bavaria.
• Maximilian Joseph von Mangold (1747-1824): Maximilian was a German adventurer and politician who made his fortune as a privateer. He served in the Bavarian army and was a representative in the Bavarian parliament.
• Peter von Mangold (1776-1847): Peter was a German composer, music theorist, and organist who created many popular music pieces during his lifetime.
• Rosa von Mangold (1817-1871): Rosa was a female German composer and singer who was known for her musical works in Vienna and Munich. She also wrote and composed several operas, symphonies, and chamber music works during her lifetime.

Other surnames

von Mangoldt