Surname Nold - Meaning and Origin
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Nold: What does the surname Nold mean?
The last name Nold is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word "knolt," which means "knot" and is thought to refer to the physical characteristics of the knot in wood. It is also believed that the name is descriptive of an ancestor who had a knotted or tightly curled beard. The Nold surname is found most often in the regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
Throughout its history, the Nold family has spread out across Europe, with some making their way to the United Kingdom as well. As with other German last names, people bearing the Nold name have had significant involvement in the political and military affairs of their country over the centuries.
The Nold surname is still found today throughout countries in Europe and beyond, a testament to the lasting legacy of the family. Individuals with this last name may be proud to know that they are a part of a lineage of distinguished people who have helped shape history.
Order DNA origin analysisNold: Where does the name Nold come from?
The last name Nold is a fairly common surname throughout Europe, most especially in the modern-day countries of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. In Switzerland, Nold is the 45th most common surname, with a frequency rating of 1 in 770 individuals—a total of 1,204 Nold individuals living in the country. In Germany, Nold is the 725th most common name, with a frequency of 1 in 3,198—approximately 56,395 Nold people inhabiting the country. Austria has a somewhat smaller population at 17,340 with a frequency of 1 in 2,303. The tiny country of Liechtenstein is home to the lowest population of Nold people with only 19 individuals inhabiting it, all with the same frequency of one in 2,303.
Nold is also quite common in the United States, with an estimated frequency of 1 in 2,602. Approximately 109,914 Americans bear the last name Nold, making it the 1293rd most common surname in the country. The biggest concentration of American Nold’s can be found in Pennsylvania, closely followed by Virginia and New Jersey.
Lastly, Nold is a relatively rare surname in Canada, with a frequency of 1 in 5,108. Approximately 5,320 individuals throughout the country bear the name Nold, the majority of whom live in Ontario.
The Nold surname is most popular in the German-speaking regions of Europe and the East Coast of America. It is a distinctively European patronymic, derived from a person of the same name. Although it is not a particularly uncommon name today, its use is notably concentrated in certain areas.
Variations of the surname Nold
The surname Nold has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Nolt, Noltz, Nolte, Nolle, Nolder, Nolden, Noldinger, Nolet, Nolting, Noelling, and Noldus.
The surname Nold is derived from a given name or nickname, most likely derived from the Middle Low German "noelchen," meaning "little nickname" or "little one." This evolved from the Old High German "hneit," meaning "dear" or "treasured." A similar Old High German word, "hneoti," was used to refer to a small child, contributing to the nickname form of the term.
The elaboration of the surname Nolt is derived from the combination of the Middle Low German word "noelchen" and an Old High German word for "son," such as "sone," "sunu," or "zylet." As such, the surname Nolt could also mean "son of the nickname."
The surname Nold could have originated in numerous locations within Germany and other German-speaking areas. German partial surnames that began with "noelchen" or "hneit" occur in the Middle Ages all throughout Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. It is also possible that the surname Nolt could originate from Poland, although the spelling of the name could have been changed over time.
Based on these geographic locations, it is likely that the surname Nold has become widespread throughout the world, developing various spellings and variations along the way. Common variants in the United States include Nolt, Nolf, Nolet, Nolte, Nolder, and Nolden. Moreover, Noldinger, Nolting, and Noelling are also found in Germany.
Famous people with the name Nold
- Dennis Nold: He is an American composer and conductor working in the genres of oratorio and symphonic music. He has been praised for his innovative works in both disciplines and is twice a winner of the prestigious ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award.
- Jade Nold: She is an English professional snowboarder. She became the youngest rider ever to win a major World Snowboard Tour event becoming World No.1 in the process.
- Thomas Nold: He is a Swiss entrepreneur and professor for Behavioral Sciences at Berne University. He is well-known for his involvement in urban planning and sustainable development.
- Bernd Nold: He is a German sculptor, painter and printmaker. He creates complex paper and wood sculptures that explore themes of nature and movement, as well as painting abstract canvases in monochromatic colors.
- Luzi Nold: She is an Austrian born American entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founder of the G.A.A.L.B.(Girls Achieving Amazing Life Basics) foundation, focused on providing mentoring, tutoring and personal development programs for at-risk female youth in the greater Los Angeles area.
- Andrea Nold: She is an Austrian actress. She first gained recognition for her roles in films such as "Schau lieber einmal zurück" and "Der Vaterland". In 2017, she won the Romy Award for best actress.
- Otmar Nold: He is a Swiss politician and lawyer. He served at the federal communal counselor for Zurich since 2000, a position he held up until his retirement in 2018.
- Franz Nold: He is a German show-jumper. He is best known for representing his country at the 2012 London Olympics, where he finished in 21st place in the team show-jumping final.