Surname Bönhold - Meaning and Origin

Bönhold: What does the surname Bönhold mean?

The last name Bönhold is of German origin and is derived from the word for “hill.” In German, böen means “hill” and hold means “holder,” so the literal definition of the name is “hill holder.” The surname likely refers to an ancestor of the Bönhold family who lived and/or held a prominent position near a hilltop.

The name likely originated as an occupational title, derived from a family’s position in a community. It is possible that the ancestor was a guardian of the local hill or held some type of authority over its inhabitants. It is also possible that the family simply lived on a nearby hill, or even owned the hilltop, and passed the surname down to succeeding generations. In either case, it is likely that the family had some connection to the hill, leading to the use of the name.

The surname Bönhold is not especially common, but can be found in areas of Germany where the family has lived over time. While the meaning of the name may have been lost to the past, its legacy and story remain with many modern-day Bönhold families.

Bönhold: Where does the name Bönhold come from?

The last name Bönhold is sometimes spelled Böhnhold and can be common in various parts of Europe.

The regions where the surname is most frequently found today include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as parts of Poland. It is also popular in some areas of the United States, primarily among Americans of German or Dutch heritage.

In Germany, the surname is widespread and is often found concentrated in north-west and central Germany, as well as in some parts of the former East Germany. It is relatively uncommon in southern Germany, but can be found throughout the country.

In Austria, the surname is fairly common and is most often found in Vienna and other major cities. In Switzerland, the surname is especially common in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, and St. Gallen.

In the Netherlands, the name is quite widespread but is more common in the northern region.

In the United States, the surname is found primarily among those who trace their ancestry to Germany or the Netherlands. There is a small concentration around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has a large German-American population, and is also widespread in Pennsylvania and New York. It is less common in the rest of the country.

Variations of the surname Bönhold

The surname Bönhold has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant is Bönholdt, which is often seen at the end of Germanic surnames. It is a patronymic name, derived from the first name "Böhn." The Böhn comes from the Germanic root and would have been an occupational name for a cooper or barrel maker, perhaps a guild master.

Other variants of Bönhold include Banhold, Beenhoud, Benhold, Bjenhoud, and Bouenhouden.

Variants of spelling include Böhnhold, Böhnholdt, Böenhold, Bôhnhold, Bönhollen, and Böhnholle.

In England, the surname spelling has been changed to Bounhold, Bunhold, Bunhoald, Bunhalla and Bunhall.

Variants and spellings of the surname can be found in other languages such as Dutch, Danish, and Irish. In Dutch, Bonthold and Bontold are found, and in Danish they are spelled Bønholdt and Bønhold. In Irish, Banald and Bunh arose out of the same origin.

Overall, Bönhold is a patronymic surname in Germanic origin and its various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found in many languages in Europe.

Famous people with the name Bönhold

• Vanessa Bönhold: German actress, known for her roles in films such as Bad Banks and Im Alleingang.
• Katja Bönhold: German actress who is known for roles in shows such as Der Comicaufseher and Kaktus Medien.
• Sascha Bönhold: German producer and actor who has worked on films like Der Spiegel.
• Franz Bönhold: German-Austrian actor, writer and filmmaker, best known for his work as a scriptwriter for TV series such as Der Eismann Kommt.
• Holger Bönhold: German musician and actor, who has worked on numerous projects such as The Starhunter.
• Milen Bönhold: Slovenian actor, known for the films Gray Stories and Sneakers.
• Holle Bönhold: German environmental activist and member of the Green Party.
• Mark Bönhold: German historian and professor at the University of Marburg.
• Sigrid Bönhold: Austrian writer and producer, best known for documentaries about the environment in East Asia.
• Reinhold Bönhold: German sculptor, known for his works on public monuments, such as the Statue of Human Rights in Bonn.

Other surnames

Bonholt