Surname Herwald - Meaning and Origin
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Herwald: What does the surname Herwald mean?
The last name Herwald is a German name, with its origins dating back as far as the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the German word ‘herr’, which can mean ‘military leader’ or ‘surname’, along with ‘wald’, which means ‘forest’, and could refer to someone who was an inhabitant of a forest area. However, it can also come from a combination of ‘her’ for ‘army’ and ‘wald’ for ‘ruler’, so it may also come from a descriptive nickname for someone with a military or ruling background.
The surname Herwald is mainly found in Germany, Austria, and various other parts of the world, including the United States and Canada. In the 1800s, a number of people bearing the Herwald last name moved to America, both from Germany and Austria, to start a new life.
Today, the Herwald name can still be encountered in various parts of Europe, as well as America and Canada, where more and more descendants of the original immigrants continue to carry on the Herwald name. Many of these descendants will be members of the same family, but with a few differences over time in spelling variations, with some picking Herwald while others choose Harrwald and Herwal, among others.
All in all, the last name Herwald is a deeply rooted and long-standing German name, which can still be encountered in various parts of the world. The meaning of the name varies depending on the era and region, but all of the variations ultimately come from a combination of ‘herr’ and ‘wald’.
Order DNA origin analysisHerwald: Where does the name Herwald come from?
The last name Herwald is most commonly found in Germany today. It is estimated that there are about 1,000 people who bear this name. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the United States and Canada.
The origin of Herwald is German, meaning “army ruler” or “warlord.” The first recorded use of the name was in 1301. Over time, the name has evolved and received slight variations such as Herold or Herrwald.
In the United States, people with the last name Herwald primarily come from German ancestry. Records from the 1890 U.S. federal census indicate the name was first found in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New York.
The distribution of people with the last name Herwald is concentrated in Germany. About 790 of the people who bear the name reside there. Other significant concentrations are in the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada.
Because it is a traditional German surname, people with the last name Herwald are typically of German descent and can trace their family history back to Germany. Those with German ancestry may consider researching their heritage to discover the origins of their last name.
Variations of the surname Herwald
The surname Herwald is of Germanic origin, originally spelled Heerwald and meaning " army power" or "army strength". The name is generally believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word heer, meaning "army" and wald meaning "power". The Germanic spelling of the name is sometimes found as Herold.
The various variants and spelling of the surname Herwald include Herold, Herrold, Herault, Heroual, Herould, and Harrold. Its variants can also be seen in the French form of the name, which is spelled Herault.
In some cases, the surname has been adopted in different languages over time and has evolved into different forms. In Dutch the surname is evident as Herwalt, Herwaltz, and Herwaut, while in Danish the surname is Herwalt and Herwaldt. According to some sources, the Irish form of the surname is "Harreld", while in Wales it is sometimes "Herwal", and in Scotland it is "Harwell" or "Herwel"
In terms of surnames, Herwald is thought to have been adapted into Harwood and Harward. In addition, in some cases the surname has been changed through informal adoption and now appears as Hearld, Harrell, Harrol, Heroldt, and Herweldt.
Overall, the surname Herwald has been adopted in several forms over time, and the variants, spelling, and other surnames of a similar origin have emerged out of its evolution.
Famous people with the name Herwald
- Alexander Herwald: Actor
- Emma Herwald: Singer and songwriter
- Hale Herwald: Football player
- Ruby Herwald: Actress
- Mia Herwald: Academic and Author
- Ira Herwald: Lawyer
- Joey Herwald: Entrepreneur
- Lachlan Herwald: Creative Director
- Harmony Herwald: Writer and filmmaker
- Guillermo Herwald: Actor and musician
- Sierra Herwald: Scientist
- Holly Herwald: Professional dancer
- Lydia Herwald: Architect
- Cooper Herwald: Musician
- Xavier Herwald: Author and illustrator
- Leone Herwald: Chef and restaurateur
- Adalena Herwald: Fashion Designer
- Kristen Herwald: Stylist and fashion designer
- Jesse Herwald: Influencer and model
- Zuri Herwald: Artist and painter