Surname Westhold - Meaning and Origin
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Westhold: What does the surname Westhold mean?
The origin of the last name Westhold is believed to be Middle English. In this context, “West” could refer to someone who lived in or near a western region. Meanwhile, “hold” likely meant a “wooded slope” or a “pasture” as fields were referred to as “holds” in the past. As a result, it is possible the surname Westhold suggests someone whose home was located at the base of a western hill.
The earliest documented record of the Westhold surname can be found in Yorkshire, England. Francis Westhold was recorded in the York Hearth Tax of 1673 in the parish of Yapham. It is likely that the first members of the Westhold family were living in an agricultural setting and could have been farmers or shepherds.
Today, the Westhold surname is more widely distributed across England particularly in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. It is also possible that somewhere in every English county there is a Westhold family living.
The English surname Westhold is unique, and its true etymology will likely never be fully understood. However, its potentially Old English origins make it a distinctive part of English history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisWesthold: Where does the name Westhold come from?
The last name Westhold is most commonly found in Germany today. According to familysearch.org, Westhold is a German patronymic surname, derived from a personal name of Westin, a pet form of the Old German and Old English names Weston and Weston. In German, the name translates to mean "west hold" with the element "west" indicating its presence in West Germany.
Westhold is most popularly found in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, which is in southwestern Germany. As of 2001, Westhold was ranked the 301st most popular last name in Germany. Although the spelling of the name is still quite common in Germany, there is considerable variation. Another spelling for the name, reported on familysearch.org, is Westphal.
Today, many people of the Westhold name and its various spellings may be found in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries. Census records from 1880 to 1920 in the US indicate that those bearing the Westhold name often emigrated from Germany prior to World War II.
Many people with the name Westhold still reside in Germany today and have adapted to modern life there. As a result, Westhold is a surname that is still relatively prominent in Germany and holds the same social weapons and expectations of history as it does anywhere else in the world.
Variations of the surname Westhold
Westhold is a surname of German, Irish, and Scandinavian origin. Variants of Westhold include Westhoel, Westhale, Westhelle, and Wescott. In Germany, spellings of Westhold can also include Westhöl, Westhöle, and Westhölle. In Ireland, spellings include Westol, Westale, and Westelle.
The Scandinavian variant of Westhold includes Westholt, Vesthold, and Vestholt. Alternate spellings of this include Westhoelt, Wetsholt, and Westhol. These various spellings of Westhold are often found in America today, where immigration brought many of the surnames.
Although Westhold is not a frequent surname, there are still many with this surname today. The Westhold clan can be found mostly in the United States, Germany, and Scandinavia. Furthermore, Westhold can also be seen in combination with other surnames, such as Westhold-Smith, Westhold-Adams, and Westhold-Jones. The combination names are more likely to be seen in America due to the immigration history of the numerous families in the country.
Westhold is not only a surname however, but also a given name as well. The Westhold given name has been known since the late 1800s in America and can be found in records such as the U.S. Census records and other vital records. Similarly, Westholt can be found in records as a given name as well.
Overall, Westhold is a surname that has spread across the globe due to migration. In addition, many variants are available due to the fact that many different countries may have spellings that are slightly different from the Americanized spelling.
Famous people with the name Westhold
- Kim Westhold: Danish actress.
- Nicholas Westhold: Australian musician and artist.
- William Westhold: British politician and member of the House of Lords.
- Hugo Westhold: Swedish footballer.
- Amanda Westhold: Canadian entrepreneur and reality TV star.
- Kat Westhold: American actress.
- Jack Westhold: American technology entrepreneur.
- David Westhold: British fashion designer.
- Alex Westhold: Austrian film producer and director.
- James Westhold: Dutch human rights activist.
- Kim Westhold-Brown: Canadian artist and sculptor.
- Jay Westhold: American singer-songwriter.
- Bob Westhold: American journalist and author.
- Royal Westhold: British biographer and historian.
- Chris Westhold: German architect.
- Dave Westhold: American attorney.
- Stephanie Westhold: French actor and film producer.
- Mark Westhold: Australian solar energy entrepreneur.
- Darcy Westhold: Canadian Olympic athlete and athlete’s rights advocate.
- Charlotte Westhold: English video game designer.