Surname Nolde - Meaning and Origin
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Nolde: What does the surname Nolde mean?
The last name Nolde is of Germanic origin and is believed to refer to a person living or working near a hill or small mountain. It may also refer to someone living in a clearing in the woods or near a mining settlement. It is a fairly common last name in Germany, although less so in other countries.
The origin of the name Nolde is uncertain, but it is likely originally derived from an old German word which means to look up or look into the sky. It may also have derived from a Middle High German word 'Notloch', which means a narrow opening or passage. Similarly, the Old High German term 'Nolden' may refer to turbulence or a spinning motion, such as is often given to a swimming pool when a person jumps or enters suddenly.
The name Nolde does not appear in the records of German immigrants in the United States until 1820, although it had been in use for some time in Germany. The earliest records indicate the name was first used by people living in Pennsylvania, where it is still common today. The name can also be found in many other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The last name Nolde has usually been pronounced with the accent on the first syllable. Many variations of the pronunciation exist, however, depending on which country the name is being used. Regardless, the meaning of the name typically has remained the same, referring to a person living near a hill or small mountain.
Order DNA origin analysisNolde: Where does the name Nolde come from?
The last name Nolde is quite common today, primarily in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It is especially prominent in Germany, where it ranks among the top 500 most common surnames. It is also very widespread in Austria and can be found throughout much of Switzerland. While many of these individuals are likely descended from a common ancestral line, the origin of the name itself is quite vague.
The most commonly accepted etymology is derived from the Old German noun "nold," which means "noble" or "brave." This is a likely reference to the many brave warriors of Germanic descent that historically served as the backbone of German society, and it is possible that the Nolde family originally belonged to one of these military clans. Over time, variants of the name have arisen, including Nölde, Nöldt, Nöld and Nolte.
The prevalence of the surname has been declining over the last century. This is in part due to a greater level of mobility among the population; many individuals of the Nolde family no longer live in the countries of their ancestors, but have spread out throughout Europe and beyond. That being said, there are still numerous locations where the name holds a place of prominence, such as the northern German city of Hamburg.
Variations of the surname Nolde
Nolde is a German occupational surname originating from the Middle High German word “nolde”, which means leadworker, or a leadmaker. As the name developed, it became known by other spellings.
Variations of Nolde include Nolt, Nolte, Noltemeyer, Nold, Noldeke, Nolden, Noldes, Nolder, Noldert, Nolderth, Noldt, Nolten, Nolting, and many others. Some may have even been misinterpreted as Noll, Nolder, and Noller.
In the United States, Nolde is the 9,846th most popular surname, and is found in records of German, Irish, and French American families.
Surnames of the same origin as Nolde would include Nolde, Nolt, Nolte, Noelte, and Noldt. Other surnames of the same root include Noeltgen, Noelting, and Noelling.
The earliest record of the surname traces back to 1176, where a Henricus Nodelinus was listed in a document from the church of St. Ulrich in Schwabisch Hall, Germany. The earliest record with the spelling “Nolde” was found in a 1409 document stored in a German state archive.
Nolde has shown up in records all across Europe, including both Germany and Sweden, highlighting the fact that the name has been around for hundreds of years.
Regardless of spelling or origin, the people bearing the surname of Nolde and its variants are likely to have a wide variety of ancestral backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Nolde
- Emil Nolde: Emil Nolde was an acclaimed German expressionist painter, print maker, and watercolorist. He is best known for his bright, saturated colors, as well as the powerful, emotional content of his work.
- Henry Nolde: Henry Nolde was an American politician and a U.S. Representative from South Dakota. He served in Congress from 1895 until 1899.
- Albert Nolde: Albert Nolde was a German architect who is best known for his contribution to the Bauhaus and his role in the development of modernist architecture in Germany after World War I.
- Frieda Nolde: Frieda Nolde was the wife of Emil Nolde and an accomplished artist in her own right. She influenced the works of her husband's work and was a founding member of the German Expressionist movement.
- Richard Nolde: Richard Nolde was an American film actor who began his career in the silent era. His notable works include The Birth of a Nation, The Mark of Zorro, The Ten Commandments, and The Sin of Harold Diddlebock.
- Henry Nolde Jr.: Henry Nolde Jr. was the son of Henry Nolde, a U.S. Representative from South Dakota. He also served in Congress from 1915 to 1919.
- Hans Nolde: Hans Nolde was a German interior designer and artist who specialized in wall decorations, stained glass, furniture, and ceramics. He was active between the two World Wars.