Surname Kobold - Meaning and Origin

Kobold: What does the surname Kobold mean?

Kobold is a hereditary German surname which is derived from the word ‘kobold’, which in turn comes from the Old German ‘kobolt’ meaning goblin or imp. It is also believed to have originally been an occupational title meaning ‘red smith’.

Kobolds are mythological creatures in German folklore which have both mischievous and benevolent traits, and often appear as small, sprite-like humanoids. They are often portrayed as helpful to humans who behave morally, though they can be mischievous if not treated with respect.

The original bearers of the Kobold surname may have chosen the name to represent the beneficial characteristics of the mythological creature, or to represent their own profession. It is also possible that the name was adopted by an individual who was considered to possess positive qualities, such as strength or wisdom.

Today the surname Kobold is found mainly in Germany, although it is slowly spreading to other parts of the world. It is a unique name that bills itself on tales of its mythical namesake.

Kobold: Where does the name Kobold come from?

Kobold is a surname that is commonly found in Germany and parts of Central Europe. It's one of the oldest surnames in Germany, with records that trace back to the 12th century. The origin of the name is uncertain, though some scholars have speculated that it derived from the Concobourg region of the Netherlands in the late Middle Ages.

In modern times, the surname Kobold is still prevalent in Germany and numerous other European countries. In 2020, the most countries with the most occurrences of the surname are Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. The surname is also recorded in parts of the United States and Canada, mostly among descendants of German immigrants.

Within Germany, the surname Kobold doesn’t have a particularly strong association with a particular region. However, it is most common in the states of Bavaria, Saxony, Baden-Wurttemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse.

In popular culture, Kobold is most widely associated with fairy tales and German folklore. The mythical creature, believed to be a household spirit, often takes on the form of a small goblin-like figure and is said to help around the house with chores. This folklore reflects the original meaning of the surname; “Kobold” is derived from the German word for “goblin”. It is also a popular name among German fantasy writers and gamers, with a creatures of the same name featured in the popular tabletop game, Dungeons and Dragons.

Today, the Kobold surname is widespread throughout European countries and its diaspora. It is a prominent example of how surnames can be intertwined with culture and history.

Variations of the surname Kobold

The surname Kobold is a German name that can be spelled in many different variants, including Cobald, Cobold, Cobolt, Cobauld, Cobbald, Cobault, Cobolt, Copold, Kopold, Kopoldt, Coboldt, Kobbold, Kobald, Kobal, Kobalt, Kobau, Kobayashi, Kobby, Kobolde, Koboldt, Kobolt, Kobot, Kobwald, Cobalt, Coboltz, Koboltz, Kobalz, Koboldz, Koboltz, Kobult, and Copoldt. The surname also appears in some other Germanic languages, such as Dutch and Swedish, under the spellings Kobald, Cobald, Koboudt, Koboud, Kobaut, Cobaut, and Kopold.

Additionally, some other languages have adapted or derived surnames with similar spellings from Kobold, such as the Russian surnames Kobaltov, Kobaltova, and Kobulev.

The surname Kobold is often used as a nickname or Pet name. Some examples include Kobbi, Koboldi, Koblin, and Kobby. Other variant spellings of the name Kobold can also be found, such as Kobal, Cobolt, and Kawalt. Some other surnames derived from or that are related to Kobold include; Cobaugh, Kolb, and Kolbo.

Though it is not related to the surname Kobold, the name Koppel is of the same Germanic origin which means cooper, a tradesman who makes and repairs casks and barrels.

Famous people with the name Kobold

• Klaus Kobold: German world champion track cyclist
• Dietmar Kobold: German professional long-distance runner
• Amy Kobold: German Olympic swimming champion
• Ernst Kobold: German racing driver
• Hugo Kobold: German operatic baritone
• Georg Kobold: German electrical engineer
• Albert Kobold: German cardinal
• Robert Kobold: Swiss sculptor
• Klaus Kobold: German geologist
• Horst Kobold: German author
• Joerg Kobold: German journalist
• Iris Kobold: German actress
• Maria Kobold: German artist
• Eva Kobold: German voice actress
• Ralf Kobold: German child actor
• Ellen Kobold: German athlete
• Larin Kobold: German visual artist
• Mathilda Kobold: German Christian martyr
• Rodrigo Kobold: Brazilian actor
• Johannes Kobold: German chemist
• Matt Kobold: American actor and screenwriter

Other surnames

KoboldtKobolt