Origin of the surname Arnold

This ancient and distinguished surname, recorded in over fifty spellings, is usually of Olde German and Anglo-Saxon origins. It derives from a baptismal compound personal name Ernault or Arnolt, of which the elements are "arn", meaning an eagle, and "wald", to rule. The name spread rapidly throughout Northern Europe in the period known as "The dark ages", roughly between the 6th and 11th centuries a.d., and following the fall of the Roman Empire. There are now many different spellings of the surname and examples include Arnhold, Arnout, Arnatt, Erni, Harnett, Arnould, Arnaud, Ahrend, Arnaudi, Arlett, Arnaudin, Arnaiz, Arents and many others.

The first country in the world to adopt hereditary surnames as we know them today was England, where they were first used, although only by the nobility or clergy, after the Norman-French Invasion of 1066. In the year 1086 the Normans completed a survey of the country known as the Domesday Book, this being the first gazetter of its kind ever produced. Rogerus filius Ernaldi is recorded in Domesday Book for London, this being the first known recording of the name, although not as a surname. Early examples of the surname recording include include William Arnold of the county of Suffolk in 1277, whilst in Germany Adler Arnoldt is recorded in Meskirch in 1282. In some cases the surname as Arnold is a locational name from two English villages in Nottinghamshire and in the East Riding of Yorkshire. One of the first settlers in Virginia was Thomas Arnold, aged 30 yrs., who embarked from London on the ship "Plaine Joan", in May 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere is believed to be that of Puntius Arnaldi, which was dated 1196, in the rolls of Devonshire, England.

It should derive from the Italian-Germanic medieval name Arnoaldus or from the Provençal equivalent Arnaudus (the meaning could be "powerful like an eagle") of which we have an example in the XII century in Brescia: "...Hoc tempore surrexit quidam magister Arnaudus nomine , magistri Petri Abelardi discipulus, qui multa contra Romanam ecclesiam predicabat...".

The surname Arnaldi seems typical of the province of Imperia and of the Island of Elba, with a probably not secondary lineage in the Vicenza area.

Arnaud is typical of the Cuneo and Turin areas.

Arnaldo, much rarer, would seem to have a Turin and a Ligurian lineage.

Arnao is specific to Messina.

Arnau and Arnaudi, very rare, should be from northwestern Italy.

Arnod is present in Valle D'Aosta.

Arnold probably has a lineage in Bolzano, Tuscany and the Veneto.

The surname Arnold. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of arnold is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of arnold leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname arnold, and in addition to the original locations of arnold, we can find out where people with the surname arnold can currently be found.

The surname Arnold around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname arnold. There is a considerable probability that arnold has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where arnold is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname arnold has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Arnold

The historical chronicle of arnold is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named arnold are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname arnold are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname arnold, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of arnold could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname arnold or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of arnold.

Notable Figures Named Arnold

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished arnolds throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname arnold, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like arnold can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname arnold who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Arnold and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of arnold. The bibliography collects information related to the surname arnold, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname arnold, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of arnold, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Arnold