Surname Wilibald - Meaning and Origin
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Wilibald: What does the surname Wilibald mean?
The last name Wilibald is of German origin and is derived from the Old German words “wil” meaning “will or desire” and “bold,” meaning “bold or brave.” Together, these two elements create the name Wilibald which means “the one with a bold will.” The surname first appeared in Medieval documents dating back to the 12th century. It is recorded in Bavaria, Germany and Austro-Hungary.
The name has been adopted by different families over the years and can be found in various spellings, including Wilibald, Wilibold, Wilibalds, Willibald and Willibold. It is possibly derived from the Old High German personal name Wilibald, which is composed of the elements “wil” and “bald” which mean “bold” and “bold or brave.”
In Germanic culture, having a strong will and being bold was held in high regard. Therefore, individuals with this last name were perceived to be resilient, determined, and courageous. To this day, those with the Wilibald last name carry this ability to remain strong and brave even in unsettling and trying times.
Order DNA origin analysisWilibald: Where does the name Wilibald come from?
The last name Wilibald is most concentrated in southern Germany, particularly in the state of Bavaria, as well as in Austria and Liechtenstein. Beyond the German-speaking areas, the name is mainly present in Central and Eastern EU countries such as Hungary and Romania. According to reliable sources, Wilibald is also relatively common in parts of the United States, including the states of Florida, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Texas. However, records from the 1990 US Census suggest that the surname is not as prevalent in any one state as it is in its European homeland.
The last name Wilibald is derived from the Germanic personal name Willibald, which was composed of two elements: the name of the Germanic god Willa and the word bald, which translates to Spaniard. As a result, the surname could have originally been used as a reference to the god Willa or to anyone with Spanish heritage.
In Germany, the most prevalent coat of arms associated with the name Wilibald is a silver shield with a golden ribbon. The name itself is also associated with the Lower Bavarian lion and color silver. In certain parts of Austria and Liechtenstein, the coat of arms also features a lion, though of a different variety.
The last name Wilibald is recorded in numerous religious manuscripts and records, and in many instances, it is listed with other popular Germanic last names. The name also appears in a variety of locations throughout Europe, including in cemetery inscriptions, titles and bookmarks, and on coins from the Middle Ages. In addition, the name is found in records of nobility, suggesting that at least some members of the Wilibald family had high social status during the Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Wilibald
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Wilibald include Wilbub, Wilbald, Wilbeld, Wilbeldt, Wilbrand, Wilbrandt, Wilbrecht, Wilbret, Willebold, Willeboldt, Willebrand, Willebrandt, Willebrecht, and Willebret. Although the spelling of the surname has changed over time and varies from region to region, all of these variations can be traced back to the Old Germanic name Wilibald, meaning ‘will’ or ‘desire’ plus ‘bold’ or ‘brave’.The Anglo-Saxon societies that settled in Britain between the fifth and sixth centuries AD were highly influenced by Germanic culture, and surnames such as Wilibald became extremely popular during this time.
The Wilibald family also adopted various Latinized surnames such as Wilibaldi, Wilibaldo, and Willibaldi and other anglicized spellings such as Willabold and Wilbold, which are still in use today. These spellings are more commonly found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where the Wilibald surname has been anglicized.
In addition to the surname Wilibald, there are some other related names of the same origin, such as Willebicus, Willeboda, Willebodus, Wiliboldus, Willibasi, Willebeca, and Willebecus. All of these variants emerged over the course of history as a result of the changes in Latinization, anglicization, and other regional variations. Although the origin of the Wilibald surname is uncertain, it is generally assumed to have come from the Germanic language.
Famous people with the name Wilibald
- Friederike Wilibald: Actor who has featured in television series such as ‘Unter Uns’ and ‘Die Männer vom K3’.
- Wolfgang Wilibald: former German footballer who played for SpVgg Greuther Fürth and FC Bayern Munich.
- Wilibald Gurlitt: German musicologist known as the ‘father of modern musicology’ who wrote about the works of famous composers such as Handel and Bach.
- Adolf Wilibald: Austrian art historian known for his 'History of Austrian Art' and other publications.
- Beth Wilibald: British art curator and author, known for her acclaimed book '1950s Christian Dior Haute Couture'.
- Johanna Wilibald: a German politician and corporate executive, best known as the former chairwoman of the German chemical company BASF.
- Magdalena Wilibald: popular German journalist and news presenter from Bavaria.
- Josef Wilibald: Polish aviator and paratrooper who served in both World War I and World War II.
- Franz Wilibald: Austrian painter well known for his scenes of rural life, featuring traditional costumes and folk customs.
- Arnold Ottomar Wilibald: German actor and composer who appeared in several late nineteenth century theatre productions in Berlin.