Surname Mold - Meaning and Origin
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Mold: What does the surname Mold mean?
The surname Mold is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is a habitational name, derived from a place name. There are two known places with this name: one located in Cheshire and another in Flintshire, Wales. The Welsh one derives from the Welsh word "mwyll" meaning "bare hill", while the other one in Cheshire is believed to have gotten its name from the Old English words "mul" meaning "mule" and "dael" meaning "valley". These names were given to identify where a person originally lived before people had surnames. Furthermore, Mold could also be a variant of the surname Mould, which is occupational and refers to a maker of molds used in foundries. As with any surname, it's possible different families with the name Mold could have different origins. In conclusion, the surname Mold is of British origin and most likely refers to a geographical feature or specific location of where the initial bearers of the name resided or worked.
Order DNA origin analysisMold: Where does the name Mold come from?
The last name Mold is a fairly common name throughout Europe, especially in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and Denmark. In the United States, Mold is a somewhat less common name due to its higher prevalence in the countries mentioned above.
According to the 2020 census, the last name Mold is ranked 17,719th in popularity among the estimated 1.75 million surnames recorded in the United States. The largest concentrations of the Mold surname in the U.S. is in the states of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
In England, the Mold surname originated from the place name Mold in Flintshire, England. The surname spread further throughout England during the Middle Ages.
In Norway, the Mold surname is a topographic name derived from the Middle and Old Low German word for ‘mould’ or ‘clay’. This name has been popular in Norway since at least the 12th century.
In Sweden and Germany, the Mold surname comes from two possible sources. The first is a metonymic occupational name derived from the Middle Low German word for ‘maler,’ meaning ‘painter’ or ‘dyer.’ The other is from a topographic name derived from the Middle and Old Low German word for ‘mould’ or ‘clay.’
The Mold family has multiple branches throughout Europe, mainly in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and Denmark. In the United States, the surname is slightly less popular but still widely known in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Variations of the surname Mold
The surname Mold can have many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname Mold include Mould, Gould, Molde, Mole, Molt, Moule, and Mull.
The surname Mold is primarily a Scottish and English origin, and it is derived from both Old English and Old Welsh sources. In Old English and Old Welsh, the surname Mold derived from the word "molde," which meant "moisture" or "damp." It is also believed to be derived from an Old English personal name, which was composed of the elements of "maeld," which meant "influence," and "ham," which meant "home."
In Scotland, the surname Mold is thought to be derived from the medieval form of the name, which was spelled Molle or Mohle. The forms Mould, Molde, and Moule are all related to the Scottish word “muile.” The term “muile” described an individual who lived close to a mill or watercourse.
In Ireland, variants of the surname Mold include Mull and Mole. These names are derived from a phrase meaning "dark," although it is not clear exactly what the phrase is.
In some instances, Mold may be an Anglicized version of the Jewish surnames Mald, Molds, or Mond. These names derived from the Hebrew word kohen, meaning "priest," as well as Hebrew names meaning “son of the ruler.”
Finally, the surname Gould may be a variant of Mold. Gould was sometimes used as a variant of the surname Mold, and it is believed to have derived from a German word meaning “goldsmith.”
Famous people with the name Mold
- Tom Mold: Welsh footballer
- James Mold: English cricketer
- William Mold: British biologist
- Steve Mold: Welsh badminton player
- Dafydd Mold: Welsh alpine skier
- Deb Mold: British marathoner
- Evan Mold: Welsh replacement runner
- Megan Mold: Welsh gymnast
- Victor Mold: French dancer
- John Mold: British sprint hurdler