Surname Arnold - Meaning and Origin

Journey of the Name: The Arnold Surname Through the Lens of My iGENEA DNA Test

Employing my iGENEA DNA test results to delve into my family history has enlightened me in unique ways. The advanced technology and high accuracy of the test uncovered the origins, historical movements, and ethnic diversity tied to the Arnold surname.

X. Arnold

Arnold: What does the surname Arnold mean?

The surname Arnold is of English, German, and Dutch origin and is derived from a personal name. It consists of two ancient Germanic elements: "arn", meaning "eagle", and "wald", meaning "power" or "rule". Therefore, the complete meaning of Arnold is interpreted as "eagle power" or "ruler with the strength of an eagle". The name suggests a strong personality with leadership qualities. Over time, the name transitioned from use as a first name to its application as a family or surname. In medieval times the name was highly popular due to St. Arnold, a bishop of Metz in the 7th century. As a surname, Arnold can be encountered in many regions of Europe and beyond, reflecting the broad influence of Germanic-speaking peoples throughout history. The different versions of the name Arnold include Arnould in French and Arnaldo in Italian and Spanish, among others. Famous people with the surname Arnold include the American actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and the English poet Matthew Arnold.

Arnold: Where does the name Arnold come from?

The surname Arnold originates from the Germanic personal name, "Arnuwald", which is composed of two elements – "arn", meaning eagle and "wald", meaning rule. This name was introduced to England during the Norman conquest in the 11th century. It gained popularity because of St. Arnold, the bishop of Soissons, who was a 6th-century Frankish saint. The surname Arnold was first found in Yorkshire in England where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.

Today, this surname is common among individuals in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. To be specific, according to surname distribution data, it is most common in the United States followed closely by Germany. This distribution can be attributed to a significant population of German immigrants in the U.S..

Variations of the surname Arnold

The surname Arnold is of Germanic origin and was popularized in English-speaking countries by the Normans. It is derived from two old German elements: "arn", meaning "eagle", and "wald", meaning "power" or "governance". Thus, the name Arnold conveys the sense of the power or governance of an eagle.

Alternative spellings and variations of Arnold include Arnoll, Aernoldus, Arnauld, Arnould, Arnhold, Arnout, Arnald, Arnel, Arnall, and Arnalds. The surname Arnott is also a variant of Arnold, particularly prevalent in Scotland. Arndt is another variation mostly found in Germany.

Other surnames of the same origin, but that have evolved distinctly, include Arnoldi in Italy and Arnoux in France. Arnold's variant Ernő is used in Hungary, while Arnulfo is the Spanish or Portuguese variant. In other languages, similar variants occur including Arnolf, Arnulf, or Arne, often found in the Scandinavian countries and Arnaldo often used in Italy and in Spanish-speaking countries.

However, it’s important to note that due to constant migration and the passage of time, these surnames could now be found anywhere in the world.

Famous people with the name Arnold

• Tom Arnold: American actor and comedian best known for his role in the sitcom "Roseanne."
• Benedict Arnold: Infamous American general during the American Revolutionary War who defected to the British side.
• Eddy Arnold: American country music singer.
• Edward Arnold: American actor in the early 20th century.
• Matthew Arnold: British Victorian poet and literary critic.
• Thomas Arnold: 19th century British historian and father of Matthew Arnold.
• P.P. Arnold: American soul singer.
• Richard Arnold: British TV presenter.
• Andrea Arnold: British film director and screenwriter.
• Luke Arnold: Australian actor known for his role in “Black Sails.”
• Jennifer Arnold: American medical doctor and reality TV star in "The Little Couple."
• Elliott Arnold: American newspaperman, novelist, and screenwriter.
• Malcolm Arnold: English composer and conductor.
• Eve Arnold: American photojournalist.
• Isaac Arnold: American lawyer and politician.
• Jack Arnold: American film and television director.

Other surnames

ArnoldiArnoldsArnoldtArnoldusArnoldussenArnoldußenArnoldy