Surname Imholt - Meaning and Origin

Imholt: What does the surname Imholt mean?

The last name Imholt is a German name derived from the Middle High German terms “im” and “halt”, which respectively mean “on” and “hold”. Thus, the name can be translated to mean “on hold”, “hold tight”, or “grip firmly”. This is likely a reference to the concept of getting a firm grasp on one’s possessions or goals.

The last name is primarily found in North America, having been brought to the continent when German settlers began migrating in droves during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is present in many states, and variants of it are common, including Imholz, Imhoof, Imhold, Imholle, Imholht, and Imhaults. In 2010, the United States Census estimated that there were roughly 1,181 people with that last name living in the country.

The origin of the name Imholt is significant, for it reflects a sense of tenacity and perseverance that has allowed its bearers to build lives and legacies across the United States. Despite the struggles and challenges of life, bearers of this name are known for their strength and determination. They are often seen as embodying the values of their German ancestors and making the most of the opportunities offered in their new homeland.

Imholt: Where does the name Imholt come from?

The last name Imholt is most common in Germany today, particularly in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. This is likely due to the name's origins as a regional surname, with many bearers likely stemming from the same ancestral families. In the past, Imholts could be found all over Europe, even as far as Sweden. Although the name has since become less common across the continent, the Imholt surname is still well-represented in German records.

Imholts are most frequently found in rural areas of Germany where traditions are passed down family lineages. While the name may now exist throughout the world, it is largely concentrated in or traceable to German communities. Imholts where the name is most common today tend to have a close sense of community and have cultivated strong ties to local history and heritage. This has enabled the name to remain strong in this area even as it has dwindled elsewhere.

The name is also known to have lived in India, with Indian Imholts thought to have descended from German or Western European missionaries who attended to native Christians in the 19th century.

The Imholt surname still evokes a feeling of togetherness and pride wherever it is found today.

Variations of the surname Imholt

The surname Imholt has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Imold, Imhold, Imholz, Imholdt, Imhault, Imohl, Imoldo, Imholdon, Ymholdt, Ymholt, Imolt, Immolt, and Immoltz, among others.

Despite their appearance being different, these surnames are all derived from the German surname Imholz. This surname is a habitation name, which refers to a person who came from the village or estate of Imholz, located in the Duchy of Westphalia. The name is composed of the elements “im”, meaning “in” or “on”, and “holz”, meaning “wood”.

During the Middle Ages, many of these surnames were recorded as Imholtz, Imholt, Imholz, or Imholtzke, which may have undergone minor changes in spelling over the years. In the early 1600s, for example, the Imholt surname was recorded in documents as “Imholtz.” Another document from 1619, recorded the Imholtz surname with the alternate spelling “Imhalt.”

Imholtz, Imholt, and Imhalt are also variants of the German surnames Imholz, Imoltz, and Imolz, which are derived from the Middle High German words “imolt” and “imoltz,” meaning “timber.” This further links the Imholz, Imholdt, and Imhalt surnames to their original habitation name, which refers to a person coming from the estate of Imholz.

Altogether, the surname Imholt has many variant spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. All of these are derived from the ancient German habitation surnames Imolz and Imoltz, which were composed of the words “im” and “holz”, meaning “in” and “wood”, respectively.

Famous people with the name Imholt

• Jesse Imholt: American actor and domain investor
• Lindsey Imholt: American TV journalist
• Kay Imholt: Danish photographer
• Christoffer Imholt: Danish painter
• Benjamin Imholt: German singer and songwriter
• Freya Imholt: British blogger and influencer
• Elisabeth Imholt: German model
• Gunnar Imholt: Swedish politician
• Ragnar Imholt: Danish writer
• Maria Imholt: Norwegian saxophonist
• Kim Imholt: Dutch footballer
• Pierre Imholt: French veterinarian
• Judith Imholt: Australian fashion designer
• Suzanna Imholt: American nurse
• Linda Imholt: Swedish actress
• Nora Imholt: German film director
• Annette Imholt: British chef
• Andreas Imholt: Hungarian writer
• Jessica Imholt: Italian jewellery designer
• Anna Imholt: Canadian children’s author

Other surnames

Imholte