Surname Hold - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hold: What does the surname Hold mean?
The last name Hold is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is mainly found in Northern England. It originated from a family residing in the parish of Holme, in the county of Lancaster, England. The surname Hold is a topographic surname, which is a type of hereditary surname. These were given to someone who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or a type of tree.
The surname Hold derives from the Old English word "Holh" meaning "hollow" or "hole". It may refer to a depression in the landscape, or a hollow or dell. So the name was probably first bestowed upon someone who lived near such a geographical feature or had some association with it.
It's important to note that with many surnames spanning centuries and continents, there can be different origins and meanings based on regional variations, evolution of languages, and migration patterns. As such, the interpretation of the surname Hold can vary.
Order DNA origin analysisHold: Where does the name Hold come from?
The surname Hold is believed to be of English or German origin. The English roots of the name are derived from the Middle English term "h(o)uld", which means "gracious" or "friendly". However, the German origin of the surname is more common and is derived from the Middle High German word "hold", which means "gracious" or "lovely".
In England, it was originally used as a personal name during the Middle Ages and later evolved into a surname. In Germany, it was primarily a descriptive nickname for a person who is perceived to be pleasant or attractive. This surname underwent numerous spelling variations over the centuries such as Hold, Holde, Hould, and others.
Today, the last name Hold is most common in the United States and England. In addition, it has a significant presence across various countries in Europe, especially in Germany, as well as in Australia and Canada. Although the surname is not very common, its bearers can now be found around the world due to widespread migration over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Hold
The surname Hold is of Old English origin and it refers to a person from a hollow or deep valley. Variants of this name involve different spellings and slight phonetic shifts, including Holed, Hoold, Hould, Holde, Hole, Houlde and Holdt.
In some cases, the surname has evolved into somewhat distinct surnames, like Holden and Holder. The added "en" or "er" suggests a location or occupation, meaning "from the hollow" or "keeper of the hollow", respectively.
The "d" in Hold can also morph into a "t," yielding the surname Holt. This is especially common in areas influenced by Scandinavian languages, as "holt" means "wood" or "forest" in Old Norse.
Another variant, especially popular in German-speaking areas, is the surname Hohld, which is pronounced similarly but has a slightly different spelling.
In Ireland, the surname Hold might be anglicized from the Gaelic Ó hUallacháin, which was translated to Holohan, then shortened to Hold.
Keep in mind, the variants of a surname can be heavily influenced by the language, regional dialects, and even literacy rates in the areas where it is used.
Famous people with the name Hold
- Kendra Hold, journalist for BBC Radio
- Michael Hold, actor who starred in Orphan Black
- Hunter Hold, singer-songwriter and YouTube musician
- Tim Hold, professional football player
- Laura Hold, professional dancer
- Steve Hold, professional race car driver
- Courtney Hold, finals contestant on NBC's American Ninja Warrior
- Carrie Hold, actress who featured in The Office and Legally Blonde
- David Hold, fashion designer
- Bob Hold, musician and filmmaker