Surname Arnolds - Meaning and Origin
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Arnolds: What does the surname Arnolds mean?
The last name Arnolds is a German-origin surname that has been widely used throughout the English-speaking world since the early 16th century. The surname itself likely originates with the Germanic personal name Arnold, which roughly translates into eagle-power. This name was popularized in parts of Europe, including England, due to its association with the renowned medieval military leader, Godfrey of Bouillon.
The surname can take on various forms and spellings, depending on which region it is found. For instance, Arnoldson, Arnauld, and Arnolds are all accepted variations of the same surname. They are all derived from the Germanic Arnold, with slight linguistic differences based on regional conventions and pronunciation.
In modern times, the surname often denotes someone either part of, or descended from a prominent family. It can also be used to identify someone of great integrity, due to the historical admiration for the namesake, Godfrey de Bouillon.
The use of this surname has since spread to other parts of the world, such as the United States, South Africa, Australia, and even India. So, while Arnolds is a surname rooted in Germanic history, its widespread use over the last several centuries has made it a multi-national one.
Order DNA origin analysisArnolds: Where does the name Arnolds come from?
The last name Arnolds is quite common in many countries today. It is commonly found in Germany, Netherlands, Britain, United States, Sweden, France, Austria and Switzerland. German immigrants carried the last name Arnolds to other European countries during the medieval age, and today it remains one of the more popular surnames in Europe.
In the United States, the last name Arnolds is found most commonly in states such as Michigan, California, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. According to the 2000 United States Census, the last name Arnolds was the 453rd most popular name. Michigan has the highest number of people with the last name Arnolds, followed by California and New York.
It is also commonly found in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. The name is often spelled as Arnolds in Latin America but is known to be a variant of the surname Arnold in regions where the language is Spanish.
In recent decades, the name has become increasingly popular in the countries of India, Singapore, South Africa and the Philippines, as many western last names are now becoming more commonplace in these countries.
Overall, the last name Arnolds is widely found throughout the world today, both in Europe, Latin America and Asia. This name is a testament to the power of immigration in the last several centuries, and the globalization of language and culture.
Variations of the surname Arnolds
The surname Arnolds has a few variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin.
The most common variant of the name is Arnold, which is also a given name. Some other spellings include Arnalds, Arnolde, Arnoldsz, Armold, Arnol, Arnauld, Arnaud and Arnoldszoon. The name Arnold is derived from the old German personal name Arnald or Arnold, meaning ‘eagle power’.
In the Netherlands, the name Arnold is a variant of the name Arnoldus. Some other Dutch spellings of the name include Arnouts, Arnouds, and Arnoudsen. In Scotland, the name is a variant of the name Arnott and is spelled Arnott and Arnet.
The surname is also found in Denmark where it is alternatively spelled Arnoldsen. In Germany and Austria, it is spelled Arnoldshain.
In the United States, Arnolds is often also seen spelled as Arno and Arnall. There are also many spelling variations out there with the same origin as Arnolds, such as Barnwell, Earnst, Arenas, Herns, and Hertz.
No matter the spelling, Arnolds is quite a well-known name and is primarily found in the English-speaking countries of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, though variants and spelling variations of it can be found almost everywhere around the world.
Famous people with the name Arnolds
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: A bodybuilder, actor, and politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger is arguably one of the most famous people with the last name Arnolds. He served two terms as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. Outside of politics, he is well-known for his roles in the movies The terminator and Total Recall.
- Arnold Palmer: An American golf legend, Arnold Palmer was a professional golfer who won 92 international tournaments in his career. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
- Arnold Friberg: A 20th-century American artist and illustrator, Arnold Friberg is mostly known for his religious artwork and paintings depicting stories from the Bible. His work was featured in television shows such as Gunsmoke, and later in movies such as The Ten Commandments.
- Arnold Lobel: An award-winning author and illustrator, Arnold Lobel wrote and illustrated a variety of books, including the popular series of Frog and Toad stories. His works are widely regarded as children's classics.
- Arnold Jackson: Hollywood actor Arnold Jackson is best known for his role as the youngest sibling in the television sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.
- Arnold Odermatt: Swiss police photographer, Arnold Odermatt, is famous for his documentary photos of the Swiss police taken during his 34-year working life. His photographs are now exhibited in museums across the world and have been published in books.
- Arnold Friberg: An American illustrator and painter, Arnold Friberg is best known for his iconic paintings of historical figures from the Bible. His most recognizable paintings include his depictions of George Washington, Brigham Young, and Jesus Christ.
- Arnold Schoenberg: A 20th-century Austrian composer and music theorist, Arnold Schoenberg is regarded as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century and is widely credited for the invention of the twelve-tone technique.
- Arnold Bax: An English composer, Arnold Bax was a prolific composer who wrote a variety of works in different genres. He is especially known for his symphonic works and songs set to English and Irish poetry.
- Arnold Bennett: An English novelist and playwright, Arnold Bennett was hugely successful in the early 20th century. His well-known works include Clayhanger, Buried Alive, and The Old Wives’ Tale.