Surname Gewald - Meaning and Origin
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Gewald: What does the surname Gewald mean?
The last name Gewald is of German origin and is derived from the old Germanic word “gewalt,” meaning “power” or “force.” According to a popular German book of family names, Gewald was traditionally a name given to someone who held a position of authority or power within the community. It could have been a military leader, a courtier, a noble, or a magistrate.
The most popular place of origin for the Gewald surname is the province of East Prussia in what is now known as Russia, Germany, and Lithuania. It was especially prominent in the region around Thorn, where the Gewalds began to take on a more permanent form.
The meanings of the Gewald name vary depending upon its context. It can indicate a “strong” or even “frightening” individual, but it could also mean a good leader who listens to his people and acts responsibly.
Overall, the Gewald name reflects the values of strength, power, authority, responsibility, and loyalty. It conveys respect and a sense of integrity. Those who bear this name position themselves as reliable, respected citizens and often take on important roles in society. They are respected members of their community and strive for the betterment of all.
Order DNA origin analysisGewald: Where does the name Gewald come from?
The last name Gewald is relatively common, especially in Germany.
The highest concentration of Gewalds living in Germany can be found in the state of Hesse, where it ranks 52nd in population frequency. The region of Northrhine-Westphalia is the second most concentrated area with Gewalds, ranking 86th in population frequency.
In the United States, Gewalds are more scattered but still common in several areas. The highest concentration of Gewalds in the US can be found in Wisconsin, where the surname ranks 4,354th in population frequency. Minnesota also has a significant population of Gewalds ranked 5,462nd in population frequency. New York (5,936th), Florida (8,451st), Virginia (9,916th), and Texas (15,265th) are other states where Gewalds are found.
The surname Gewald is also relatively common in the Netherlands, ranking 195th in population frequency, and in Austria, where it ranks 4,030th. Gewald is also found in small pockets in Switzerland, Poland, Brazil, and Canada.
Overall, Gewald is common in countries in central Europe like Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland; it also has significant presence in the United States, especially in the Midwest and in the Northeastern states.
Variations of the surname Gewald
Gewald is a rare surname, of German and Dutch origin. It derives from the Middle Low German and Dutch terms ‘gewalde’ and ‘gewalt’, both of which mean ‘power’ or ‘force’. This surname likely refers to an ancestor as someone who held a position of power in the community or someone who was known for their strength.
The spelling variants for the surname Gewald include Geewalt, Geewald, Geewold, Geewolt, Gevald, Gevalt and Gewolt. Common surnames with the same origins include Geuwalt, Geuvald, Guwalt, Guwald and Guwalt.
Spelling variations were very common in the times before the invention of the printing press, as most people could not read or write. As a result, there were multiple ways of spelling the same exact name.
American forms of the surname Gewald include Geveled, Gimwold, Gumboldt, Gumbult, Gumbault, Gustable, Gwidt, Gwaldt, and Gwalt.
In the Netherlands, the surname Gewald has also been spelt as Gevelt and Ge cort.
Throughout its history, the surname Gewald has had many variation in spelling, pronunciation, and usage. As such, it is not uncommon to find individuals with different spellings of the same surname in the same family line.
Famous people with the name Gewald
- René Gewald: German-Dutch footballer
- Nando Gewald: Dutch model and actor
- Ignaz Gewald: German actor
- Christina Gewald: German singer
- David Gewald: German football coach
- Alexander Gewald: German sculptor
- Julia Gewald: German artist
- Kurt Gewald: German cyclist
- Lalli Gewald: Estonian conductor
- Karola Gewald: German broadcaster
- Rainer Gewald: German physicist
- Bernard Gewald: Dutch physicist
- Armin Gewald: German entrepreneur
- Stephan Gewald: German historian