Surname Heinold - Meaning and Origin

Heinold: What does the surname Heinold mean?

The last name Heinold is of German origin and comes from the Middle High German name Hinolt. The name is a contracted form of the personal name Hainold, comprising of the elements “Hagen” meaning a “hedge” or “enclosure” and “wald” meaning “forest”. The name is thought to have been a toponymic surname for someone who lived near a fettered plot of woodland or a hedge. This surname was also adopted by families who had ancestral connections with an area bearing these two elements in their name.

The surname Heinold is found in modern day Germany mostly in the region of Bavaria. The origins of the surname in Germany can be traced back to as early as the 1600’s, with the family name emerging in other countries such as the United States. The immigration of the Heinold name to the US could be attributed to the great migration of European citizens to America in the 1850’s in search of a better life.

The Heinold name, whilst being of German origin is also found all around the world. For example, one of the earliest records of the Heinolds in the US belong to a Johannes Heinold who arrived in Pennsylvania, USA in 1753. The Heinold name can be found throughout Europe, America, Australia and even parts of Canada.

The family name Heinold is considered part of German heritage and culture, and is known to be a noble house name that has existed since the middle ages. The surname Heinold is varied, although relatively uncommon, the legacy of the surname is still alive today and will remain so for generations to come.

Heinold: Where does the name Heinold come from?

The last name Heinold is commonly associated with Germany and the surrounding areas of Austria and Switzerland. The name is derived from either the German words “Hein” and “Rold”, meaning “noble” and “red” respectively, or from a German term meaning “mountain”. The surname is most common today in Germany, where it is the 63rd most common surname. It is also very common in Austria, ranking as the 88th most popular name; however, it is less common in Switzerland. Outside of Europe, the last name Heinold is not particularly common, although there are some individuals with the name in the United States and Canada. Among European immigrants, primarily German and Swiss settlers, it is a more popular name. It is most common in the Midwestern United States, where many of these individuals settled in the 19th century. In the U.S. today, the name is found in a variety of spellings, including “Heinold”, “Heinhold”, or “Heinl”. Regardless of how it is spelled, the last name likely has German origins.

Variations of the surname Heinold

The surname Heinold (or its alternate spelling Heynold) is of German origin, deriving from the given name "Heinold", which is derived from the Germanic element "Heimo" meaning "home" and the Old High German element "vald" meaning "rule". The surname is occasionally found with alternate spellings, including Heynoald, Heynoldt, Heynolt, Huenold, Hainold, Heyneld, Heynolde, Heyntz, Hinold and Henoldt.

Heinold is most commonly seen in the United States, where many German immigrants have settled, although it is found in other countries across Europe.

Variations of the name include Hyneld, Haydenold, Heyneldt, Heineold, Heineolt, Hainoldt, Hainolt, Hiynoald, Hienold, Heynolden, Heyntz, Hineld, Hoenenelt, Hamenold and Hennold.

Most people with this surname today can trace their lineage back to a single, common ancestor in medieval Germany, with the various different spellings of the name somehow born out of an original spelling. Consequently, those today who bear the name often share a common ancestry and may share a common culture.

Many people with the surname Heinold also have nicknames associated with the name, such as "Heinie" or "Heine". The various surname variations are often found concentrated in the same areas, such as regions of southern Germany, suggesting the surname may in fact have been localized and borne by members of the same family living in close proximity.

Famous people with the name Heinold

• Max Heinold: German actor
• Bob Heinold: American professional golfer
• Eugene W. Heinold Jr.: American banker and philantropist
• Arnold J. Heinold: American navy officer
• Charles J. Heinold: American architect
• Johann Heinold: German romantic era composer
• Stephanie J. Heinold: English illustrator and author
• Verena Heinold: Swiss marathon runner
• Karl Heinold: German officer, WWII resistance fighter
• Walter Heinold: German organ builder and instrument maker

Other surnames

HeinoldtHeinonen