Surname Grimbald - Meaning and Origin

Grimbald: What does the surname Grimbald mean?

The last name Grimbald is of French origin and derived from the name Grimbaud, which is a form of the personal name Grimald. It is generally thought to be a form of the Old German name Grimwald, meaning “strong ruler.” This name was particularly popular during the Middle Ages and spread throughout Europe, likely due to the influence of the Knights Templar who undertook the Crusades.

Other historians believe that the name may have been derived from the Latin family name Grimaldus. This name is thought to have derived from a combination of grīm and wald, meaning “ferocious ruler”.

Throughout the centuries, the name Grimbald can be found in various records such as census, church registers, and marriage documents in countries such as England, France, and Germany.

Grimbald is an interesting name and one that suggests a powerful and strong-willed individual. It’s recognizable because it has had relatively consistent usage throughout the last several hundred years, with namesakes developing their own unique stories and legacies.

Grimbald: Where does the name Grimbald come from?

Grimbald is an uncommon last name and is primarily found in the UK and France. In the UK, a large number of the Grimbalds live in South East England, especially London and the surrounding areas. In France, Grimbald is most common in the northern regions, particularly around Normandy.

In the UK, the earliest record of the Grimbald name dates back to 1273, where a William de Grimbold was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls. The name is thought to have emerged from the Anglo-Saxon grum, meaning “gloomy” or “dark” combined with bold, meaning “bold” or “brave”. The surname is linked to a family that originated in the area of Folkestone in Kent.

In France, records of the Grimbald name date back to 1270, where a Godefroi de Grimbault was documented in the military documents of the Kingdom of France. In 1689, a Pierre Grimbald was recorded in the civil registry at the city of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy. In 1891, a Reine Grimbault was recorded in the civil registry of Saint Amand in Brittany.

Many Grimbalds have become famous over the years including Maurice Grimbald, a Victorian combat leader in the British Army, and Pierre Grimbault, a French world war one solider. Furthermore, patriots from both France and England have used the Grimbald name, including William Grimbald Spry, His Grace Grimbald Calthorpe, and General Marc-Antoine Grimbault.

Variations of the surname Grimbald

Grimbald is an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the Old English personal name "Grimbald," which combines the elements "grim," meaning "masked," and "bald," meaning "bold." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with a bold or fearless personality.

The momentous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Grimbald are Grimmauld, Grimbol, Grimbaldy, Grimault, Grimwood, Griman, Grimand, Grimald, Grimbauld, Grimaldy, Grimbal, Grimbalene, Grimbale, Grimmond, Grimled, Grimauld, Grimel, Gorkin, Gernault, Geriman, and Gerold.

Grimmauld and Grimbald are among the more popular variants of the name. Grimmauld is derived from the Old English "Grimma,” and Grimbald from the Old English "Grimbald.” While these two variants, when combined, form the original surname Grimbald, they are often used separately as alternate spellings.

The surnames Grimault, Grimwood, Grimbol, Grimbaldy, Geriman, and Gerold are also derived from the original Old English personal name "Grimbald" and are among the more common variants of this surname. Grimault is a variation of "Grimbald" and was established in Normandy, while Grimwood is a variation of "Grimbald" and was first recorded in Lancashire in 1202. Grimbol is an alternate spelling of "Grimbald" and is used mainly in Ireland, Grimbaldy is an alternate spelling of "Grimbald" and is mainly found in Scotland, and Geriman is a variation of "Grimbald" that originated in Germany and was first recorded in England in 1203. Similarly, Gerold is also derived from "Grimbald" and is common in southern Germany.

Famous people with the name Grimbald

• James Grimbaldston: a British actor who is known for appearing in films such as The Mummy Returns, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Skyfall.
• Paul Grimbald: a British mathematician and astronomer who was a leader in the interpretation of Isaac Newton’s optical discoveries.
• Ken Grimbald: a British baronet who was a Member of Parliament for Preston in the mid-19th century.
• Robert Grimbald: a British architect who designed a number of churches and country houses in the Midlands in the early 19th century.
• Philip Grimbald: a British composer and musician who was a member of the avant-garde musical group, The Scratch Orchestra.
• John Grimbald: a British soldier who fought in the Peninsula War, and was a friend of the Duke of Wellington.
• Samuel Grimbald: a British writer of novels in the 19th century.
• Walter Grimbald: a British poet and long-time private secretary to the German prince and poet, George of Saxony.
• G.H. Grimbald: a British printer and stationer in the 19th century.
• Mary Augustus Grimbald: a British antiquarian who wrote books about early British history.

Other surnames

GrimbalGrimballGrimbaud