Surname Osswald - Meaning and Origin
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D. Osswald
read moreOsswald: What does the surname Osswald mean?
The surname Osswald is of German origin and it is derived from two old Germanic elements: "os," which means "God," and "wald," which means "rule." Therefore, the surname Osswald can be translated to mean "rule of God" or "God's rule." It was popularly given as a first name in the middle ages under the forms Oswald or Osvald, often to sons in hopes that they would live under the protection and guidance of God. As a surname, it could have been a patronymic name, referring to a descendant of a man named Oswald or Osvald. The name Oswald was borne by a number of historical figures, including a popular saint (St. Oswald of Northumbria), and thus the surname could also point towards a familial devotion to this saint.
Order DNA origin analysisOsswald: Where does the name Osswald come from?
The surname Osswald originates from Germany. It is a compound name derived from two Germanic elements: "os," meaning "god", and "wald," meaning "rule." Hence, the name can be interpreted to mean "rule by God." Variations of the name include Oswald, Oswalt, Osvald, and others.
Although Osswald is of German origin, it has spread beyond Germany with global migration, and today can be found in various forms throughout the world. However, it remains most prevalent in Germany itself. Moreover, this name is common in countries that have seen substantial German immigration in their history, such as the United States and Canada. An alternative spelling, Oswald, is quite widespread in in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Despite its diffusion, Osswald is not considered a common surname on a global scale. In some countries it may be reasonably well-recognized due to the presence of notable individuals or families bearing the name, but in many places, it remains relatively rare.
Variations of the surname Osswald
The surname Osswald, which mainly originates from Germanic countries, has several variations in spelling to accommodate different languages and cultures. Common variants include Oswald, Osvald, Osvold, Osvaldi, and Auswald. In some cases, the initial 'O' may be replaced with 'A', denoting a variation such as Aswald or Asvald.
Double consonants are sometimes dropped, yielding spellings like Oswal and Oswold. In regions where 'v' is commonly used, it might be spelled as Osvald. Occasionally, the 'd' may be replaced with 't' forming Osswalt or Oswalt.
Also, many surnames have been derived from Osswald, including Osswaldson, Oswaldson, and Oswalson. Additionally, it's common for surnames to adopt prefixes, such as von Osswald or von Oswald, especially in German-speaking regions.
In terms of compound or hyphenated names, you may come across variations like Oswald-Smith or Osvald-Jones.
Overall, these variations are impacted by immigration, regional dialects, and phonetic translations. They essentially carry the same meaning, which typically refers to "God's power" or "divine ruler" derived from the Old High German elements 'ans' (god) and 'wald' (rule, power).
Famous people with the name Osswald
- Lee Harvey Oswald: the alleged assassin of John F. Kennedy.
- Lance Oswald: an American basketball coach and former player.
- Ursula Osswald: a German actress, film producer, and screenwriter.
- Bill Osswald: a former Australian rules football player and coach.
- Richard Osswald: an American photographer known for his landscape and urban photography.
- Hans-Joachim Osswald: a German physician and professor of cardiology.
- Otto Osswald: a German actor and theatre director.
- Alfred Osswald: a German aeronautical engineer.
- Philipp Osswald: a German neurologist who specialized in treating headaches and migraine.
- Rivah Osswald: a Canadian politician, university administrator and community leader in Manitoba.