Surname Gehwald - Meaning and Origin
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Gehwald: What does the surname Gehwald mean?
The surname Gehwald is of German origin, derived from the Old German words “gawal” or “gawalt” which both mean government or state. In pre-medieval Germanic states, surname variants such as Gehl, Gaule, Gal or Galle were used as monikers for people who were attached to or even related to kings, princes or high-ranking court officials.
Other interpretations of the name Gehwald, include “hunt on land”, which speaks to the industrial and rural activities of certain German-speaking tradesmen and settlers during the Middle Ages, or one who holds, or has held, land and is entitled to the privileges that accompany such a distinction.
Gehwald is used worldwide, but it is most commonly found in modern Germany , Austria , Switzerland, and parts of the United States. Variations of the name include Gehwal, Gehwaldt, Gohwald, and Gohwal.
Despite being derived from the same Old German words, the Gehwald surname is not connected to the Old High German word"gualda" which means gold or riches.
Order DNA origin analysisGehwald: Where does the name Gehwald come from?
The last name Gehwald is found primarily in Europe and Latin America today. In Europe, it is most commonly found in Germany, where records indicate that the name was first used in the late 1600s. The name is also found in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Austria, and Hungary, among other countries. In Latin America, Gehwald is found in much of Central and South America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean.
The origin of the name Gehwald is Germanic. Historical records suggest that the name likely began as a word or term for a forest clearing. Over time, the name was adopted by settlers and used as a personal name. Historically, the spelling and pronunciation of last names could vary over time, leading to variations in the spelling throughout the years. For example, the name has also been spelled Gehvald, Geijveld, Geuvel, or Geurveld.
Gehwald is still an uncommon name today, which may lead to difficulty in researching its historical background. However, some resources are available to those researching their genealogy. Depending on where you live, records may be available in public archives, libraries, or government agencies. Some online resources may also provide access to records related to the name.
Variations of the surname Gehwald
The surname Gehwald is a German family name with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Gehwald, Gehweld, Gehuald, Gallwald and Gahwald are common variants of the surname Gehwald. The name Gehwald is derived from the Middle High German words "geholt" and "wald" which translate to "enclosed forest". It is thought to have been used to describe someone living in an area surrounded by a forest.
Alternative spellings of Gehwald include Gehhuald, Gehwehlt, Gehhuelt, Gehuelt, and Gahhwehlt. These appear mostly in historic records, such as church documents and other genealogical records from the Middle Ages.
Surnames of the same origin and derived from Gehwald include Gehl, Gehle, Gehling, Gehmann, Gehrmann, Gehrich, and Gahring. These surnames are found throughout Germany and beyond in many American and European countries.
There are also several less common variants of the name, including Gehrwald, Gehwaldt, Gehwalde, and Gehard.
The name Gehwald has played a major role in German history and is still common throughout the world today.
Famous people with the name Gehwald
- Sebastian Gehlhoff: German organist
- Hans Gehlhoff: German priest and theologian
- Gustavo Gehlhoff: Argentine artist
- Anton Gehlhoff: German sculptor
- Alexander Gehwald: German landscape painter
- August Gehlhoff: German painter
- Louise Gehlhoff: German wrestler
- Joachim Gehloff: German General during World War II
- Maria Gehwald: German teacher, writer and pacifist
- Karl Gehwald: German author and naturalist