Surname Leidhold - Meaning and Origin

Leidhold: What does the surname Leidhold mean?

The last name Leidhold is likely to be of German origin. The name was first used in the early Middle Ages and is derived from the Old German words “Leid” and “hold” which could mean “Lord of Sorrow” or “Leader of the People”. The name could have been given to a person of authority who maintained his strength despite suffering and hardships.

Throughout history, the surname Leidhold has been quite prominent and held by many landowning families in Germany. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Leidhold was found in the Graf von colden Ritterschaft region of Nieder from which the family could have possibly originated. Today, the last name Leidhold is still recognised in Germany and it is most common in the northern and central parts of the country.

The coat of arms of the Leidhold family is two golden lions and a shield which together represent courage, strength and power. These qualities were necessary for the family to have survived hardships and to have overcome difficulties.

In modern day, the Leidhold surname is still in use and is held by many people throughout the world. Although the meaning of the word has been lost, the message of endurance and strength remains. As the last name is still seen in today’s society, it exemplifies a sense of resilience and determination that has been inherited through the generations.

Leidhold: Where does the name Leidhold come from?

The last name Leidhold is a German name that is still widely found in Germany today. The name is derived from the word "leid" meaning gentle and "hold" meaning prosperity or abundance. This surname has also spread to other European countries and to the United States, as many German immigrants have settled in these areas over the years.

In Germany, the name Leidhold is common in the Bavarian, Thuringia and East Prussian regions. The name is also quite popular in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland, particularly in rural communities. It has also spread to the United States, most commonly in American states with large German-American populations such as Wisconsin, New York and Ohio.

The Leidhold family crest is a standing lion in a shield, wearing a crown and a chain around its neck, holding a sword in its right paw. It is the symbol of courage, strength and loyalty.

Leidhold is a relatively common last name today, and is derived from the German words meaning gentle and prosperity or abundance. It is found mostly in Germany and other European countries, and to a lesser extent in the United States. The family crest is a standing lion in a shield, which symbolizes courage, strength and loyalty.

Variations of the surname Leidhold

The surname Leidhold is of German origin and can have various spellings and variants. Common spellings of Leidhold include Ledhold, Leidholdt, Laythold, Laidholder, Liedhold, Liedholder, Liedholdt, Lyethold, and Lythold. The various surnames of the same origin could be Layton, Leyton, Lexington, Leighton, Leyton, Lighton, Laiton, and Lenton.

The spelling of this surname is derived from the Middle High German word “lieit” which means “protection” or “shelter”. In the Middle Ages, many surnames were derived from a person’s occupation, place of birth, or personal characteristics. Therefore, it is possible that the people who took on the Leidhold surname were associated with protection, shelter, safety, guardianship, or control.

The surname can be traced back to the early 1400s where one of the earliest recorded mention of the surname is in Heidelberg, Germany in 1407. Other mentions include various records in 15th and 16th century Germany from places such as Strassburg, Worms, Bohemia, and Liegnitz.

During the great migration, some Leidholds immigrated to the United States and Canada around the mid-1800s. The earliest family members found in the United States were John Leidhold in 1853 in Wisconsin, and Frederick Leidhold and his family in 1881 in Missouri.

Leidholds are spread throughout Germany, the United States, and Canada today.

Famous people with the name Leidhold

• Chris Leidhold: American professional boxer.
• Ian Leidhold: American competitive sailor.
• Walker Leidhold: American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter.
• Gerhard Leidhold: German Jesuit priest, musician and teacher of liturgy.
• Peer Leidhold: South African rugby union player.
• Erika Leidhold: German sprinter and hurdler.
• Bill Leidhold: American former Major League Baseball player.
• Sebastian Leidhold: German professional footballer.
• Martin Leidhold: German physiologist and clinician.
• Maximilian Leidhold: German painter.

Other surnames

Leidholdt