Surname Archbald - Meaning and Origin
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Archbald: What does the surname Archbald mean?
The last name Archbald is of Scottish and English origins and is thought to have derived from the name "Aerscwald". This name comes from the roots meaning “old” or “ancient”, with "Aer" being the first element, and the second element being derived from the Old English word “wald”, meaning “rule”. The fusion of the two elements created a name originally used in reference to either an elder leader or an ancestor.
The surname Archbald has been in existence since at least 12th century England, and was likely brought to Scotland by Anglo-Saxon settlers. It has been found in several ancient records from towns that would have seen the migration of Anglo-Saxon settlers, such as Dunfermline and Portpatrick.
The variations of the surname Archbald include Arcbald, Archbold and Archibald, amongst many more. Those with the surname Archbald have been historically prominent in the United Kingdom, having held a variety of positions, including law, politics, religion and military.
The English poet, Matthew Archbald, is considered to be the best-known bearer of the Archbald surname. His work focused on exploring themes of nature and mortality and inspired generations of writers and poets. Today, the surname Archbald is typically found in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisArchbald: Where does the name Archbald come from?
The last name Archbald is most commonly seen in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it ranks as the 1,765th most common surname according to the 2000 United States Census and similarly it ranks 2,073rd in Canada according to the 2016 Canadian Census. It can also be seen in the United Kingdom with an estimated 108 individuals sharing the same last name.
The origins of the name Archbald have been traced to Scotland and is said to have descended from the Clan MacFarlane in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic term “Macfhabhal”, which translates to “Son of the stranger”. Upon its arrival to North America, the name was adopted in various forms, most notably Archbald and Archibald.
Given the origins of the name, it is not surprising to see the prevalence of the surname in Scotland as well as the United States and Canada. In Scotland, the name is quite rare with estimates of less than 200 individuals, while in the United States it ranks significantly higher with just over 6,000 individuals. The name is particularly common in the US states of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Here, the highest portion of individuals bearing the surname Archbald make their home in Pennsylvania. Here, the name ranks 207th of the most commonly used surnames and is more than twice as prevalent as in the rest of the nation.
Overall, the surname Archbald is most commonly seen in Scotland, United States, and Canada. Although it originates in Scotland, its highest concentration is in the US and its highest prevalence in the Heartland of Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Archbald
Archbald is a surname of Anglo-Saxon or Scottish origin that dates back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from an Old English root which translates to 'strong fortress'. It is thought to refer to someone who worked at a fortified tower.
The variants of the Archbald surname include Archbold, Archerd, Arkwright, Archibald, and Arcbbald. The German variant of the name is Archbalt. There are also a few variant spellings, such as Arkibald, Arbibald, and Arcybald.
The Archbald surname has been adopted by many people in the British Isles and other parts of the world that were colonized by the British. In England, Scotland, and Wales the surname is very common, and the variants are also found in other parts of the British Isles such as Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and the United States.
Archbald is also a common surname in Europe, especially in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. In Europe and the United States the variant spellings are a bit more common than in the British Isles. In some of these countries, the surname may also be found spelled as Arbibelt, Achbald, Arcbald, Orchebald, and Arcibel.
In India, the name is mostly found spelled as Archbald, and it is fairly common among the Parsi community. It is also a popular name in South Africa. In countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the name is found spelled as Arcibald, Archdard, and Argybald.
The surname Archbald is also found with various spelling variations in the Middle East, Spain, Italy, and other European countries.
Famous people with the name Archbald
- John J. Archbald: Appointed as United States Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit in 1891. Served as Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission for ten years.
- Theodore A. Archbald: United States Circuit Court Judge for the Third Circuit in 1926.
- Edward J. Archbald: Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. He served from 1907 to 1919.
- J. Willard Archbald: United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Served from 1906 to 1911.
- William W. Archbald: United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit from 1918 to 1932.
- William H. Archbald: Civil War-era politician who served as mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1863 to 1864.
- Charles H. Archbald: Civil War veteran who served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1871 to 1873 and was appointed to the U.S. Circuit Court in 1891.
- Warren P. Archbald: Politician and business executive who held several federal appointments and served in the U.S. Senate.
- Mark J. Archbald: Lawyer and Republican politician from Pennsylvania who served as a state senator from 1910 to 1914.
- Edwin S. Archbald: Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Served from 1895 to 1896.