Surname Weighold - Meaning and Origin
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Weighold: What does the surname Weighold mean?
The last name Weighold is of German origin and is derived from the Germanic words “weg” and “ald” which translates to mean “old path.” Historically, it was most commonly found among families living in the valleys and rolling hills of central Germany and Switzerland. This location of origin holds significant meaning. As the name implies, the Weigholds were pioneers on old trails, creating paths and navigating difficult terrain.
In addition to its literal interpretation, the name can also be understood as symbolic of the Weighold family's main characteristics. Its members were known to be thoughtful, reliable, and driven individuals who were always focused on the path ahead and who persevered through any obstacles or complicating conditions. They were go-getters who never gave up and often had a particular method for achieving their goals.
The Weighold family was industrious as well, often taking advantage of available resources and working hard to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. They were great team players who were never afraid to work together in order to improve their collective situation. This spirit of collaboration is still relatively strong today in Weighold families throughout the world.
Ultimately, the Weighold name is a reminder of the many positive qualities of this proud family's ancestral lines—from their determination and resourcefulness to their willingness to work together. It is a testament to their history of resilience and success, a legacy that still lives on in the Weighold families of today.
Order DNA origin analysisWeighold: Where does the name Weighold come from?
The surname Weighold is most commonly found in German-speaking countries today. This surname can be traced back to the old German spelling of "Wiebold," which was derived from the old Germanic personal name "Weibald" (meaning "bold or strong man"). The majority of families with this surname can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In the 1800s, the surname Weighold was most prevalent in the German states of Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony.
In America, the surname was largely carried by German immigrants who settled in the mid-Atlantic region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland) and the Midwest (Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana). By the late 1800s, many had further migrated to the western states (California, Kansas, Texas, and New Mexico). Weighold can still be found in these states today.
According to the US Census Bureau, the Weighold surname is ranked around #26,664 in terms of the prevalence of the name in the United States. This puts it below the top 1% of the most common surnames. It is estimated that there are approximately 4,200 people with the Weighold surname in the United States today.
The surname Weighold is likely to continue to be most prevalent in German-speaking countries. However, smaller populations of the surname can be expected in the United States as well as other countries of the world where German immigrants have settled.
Variations of the surname Weighold
The surname Weighold is a German or Dutch name derived from the Middle High German "weigholt," meaning "guardian of the fields." The variants, spellings, and surnames which have the same origin can be grouped into the following categories:
- German Variants: Weigholdt, Weigelt, Weigold, Weigolds, Weigel, Weigle, Weigler, Weigand, Weigend
- Dutch Variants: Wegerhold, Weggerhold, Waegerholt, Wag-herhold, Wagenerholt
Weighold is still an uncommon but not exceedingly rare surname in Germany. It is also relatively common in Dutch-speaking countries, often anglicized to Wegerhold or Weggerhold. It's not a widely-held surname in the United States; however, Weighold families can be found across North America, Europe, and South Africa.
The many different spellings and variants of Weighold can be confusing, but they can be linked to the common Middle High German root "weigholt." Knowing the origin of the name can help those researching the family tree. For example, if a person is searching for a family member in an old records database and cannot find the exact spelling of Weighold, they may have more success by searching for the many different spellings and variants associated with its historical origin.
Famous people with the name Weighold
- Simon Weighold: German actor, screenwriter, and producer.
- David Weighold: American actor and producer.
- Christian Weighold: Austrian actor.
- Gregor Weighold: Austrian director and actor.
- Rob Weighold: American actor and director.
- Van Weighold: stage actor who has since has appeared in a number of other productions.
- Ludwig Weighold: German composer and professor.
- Sam Weighold: American professional tennis player.
- Justin Weighold: American actress.
- Ed Weighold: American screenwriter.
- Paul Weighold: British artist and sculptor.
- Chris Weighold: American stunt actor.
- Nick Weighold: Australian professional drag racer.
- Nicole Weighold: American actress and producer, most known for her roles in various television series, films, and voice acting.
- Jill Weighold: Canadian ice hockey player.
- Robert Weighold: German business executive.
- Uri Weighold: American Silver and Bronze medalist in the 2000 and 2003 Pan American Games for Fencing.
- John Weighold: American comedian, figure skater, and public speaker.
- Pieter Weighold: Dutch composer, musician, and music producer.
- Chad Weighold: Professional disc golfer and runner.
- Louise Weighold: British sculptor and visual artist.
- Richard Weighold: French musicologist, specializing in the European Baroque era.