Surname Thebald - Meaning and Origin

Thebald: What does the surname Thebald mean?

Thebald is a surname of German origin, thought to be derived from the Old German name "Theobald" and is thought to mean "brave people". Theobald was a common given name in the Middle Ages amongst the Germanic and Norman peoples. It is likely, then, that those who bore the original name were gender-neutral, given the gender-neutrality of old German words from this period.

The name Thebald may have been adopted by medieval warriors, as it was associated with a brave or courageous individual who would be willing to take risks and fight for their people. The name was also associated with virtues and values such as intelligence, good judgment, loyalty, and strength.

Thebald remains a rare surname today, creating an opportunity to trace family history through this unique surname. Though typically found in some parts of Germany, Thebald is also present in other regions, such as Austria, France, and the Czech Republic. Some people with the surname Thebald may have ancestors who emigrated elsewhere beyond Europe.

Some notable people with the surname Thebald include German actor Frank Thebald, American actor and director William Thebald, French explorer and trader François Thebaud, and American lawyer Marian Thebaud.

Thebald: Where does the name Thebald come from?

Thebald is an uncommon last name today. It is primarily associated with the geographical area around the English-Scottish Lowlands. The earliest records of this name trace back to the towns of Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway and North Northumberland in the early 11th century.

The name is derived from the Old English words "theobald" meaning "brave and bold", and "ald", which is a shortened version of "eald" meaning "old". The spelling of the name has evolved over time, from "the-bold" to "the-bald" to "thebald".

In Scotland, the most common variation of Thebald is Thobald, and it remains a popular choice for families living in Dumfries & Galloway. In Ireland, Thebald has been heavily Anglicised and is now mostly spelled as Teval.

Thebald is not a particularly common name today, but those who do bear the name often have a strong connection to their namesake's long history in Lowlands England. It is a name that remains full of strength and courage, with a legacy full of pride and fortitude.

Variations of the surname Thebald

Thebald is a surname that can be found among people of French and German descent. Variations and spellings of this name include Thibaudeau, Thibaud, Thibault, Thiboult, Thebeau, Thibeault, Thibaud, Thibeau, Thibodaux, Tibault, and Thibodeau.

In Germany and other parts of Europe, this surname can be found in the form of Theobald, Thebeau, Teobald, Thiebald, Thielbold, Thibalt, Tibalt, Tidwald, Theobal, Theebald, and Theobalds. The German translation of the surname is “beloved of God.”

There are multiple ways to spell this surname in France and other parts of Europe in French-speaking countries. Variations and spellings include Tébald, Tebald, Thébaud, Thibaut, Thibaudeau, Thibeaut, Thibodeaux, Thibott, Thibault, Thibou, Thierry, and Thiébaut.

When the surname crosses linguistic boundaries and cultures, its spelling can drastically change. This last name has been traced from Germany to France, as well as to many other countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In many cases, the spelling is adapted to the orthographic rules of a particular language. Examples of other spellings include Tabeaud, Thebalt, Tibaldt, Tibott, Teobald, and Thebalz.

In addition to having different spellings, the surname Thebald can also be found as part of different surnames. For example, it may be used together with other words, such as Thebald-Smith, Thebald-Lefebvre, Thebald-Vincent, or Thebald-Jones.

Ultimately, Thebald is seen as a variety of spellings and surnames that can be traced to the same place of origin. These spellings and surnames highlight the diverse linguistic history of the area and the ever-changing nature of words throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Thebald

• Marley Thebald: American actress and singer known for her appearances on shows such as Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club and Disney's Zombies 2.
• David Thebald: British show jumper who has competed at prestigious events such as the Hickstead Derby.
• James Thebald: Canadian polo player and four-time national champion.
• Andrew Thebald: Australian professor of finance and economics, and the co-founder of investment advisory firm Thebald & Associates.
• Charles Thebald: French painter and lithographer, particularly famous for his work on French history.
• Robert Thebald: American author and professor who wrote a number of books on military science and navigation.
• Christopher Thebald: English sculptor and painter who was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts.
• Sarah Thebald: Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for her acoustic folk-pop style.
• Daniel Thebald: American lawyer, executive for the Southern California Association of Governments, and former mayor of Whittier.
• Rachel Thebald: British actress and former speech and drama teacher, most known for her role as Mrs. Fancy in the 2014 comedy film The Revenant.

Other surnames

ThebaudThebault