Surname Mewald - Meaning and Origin

Mewald: What does the surname Mewald mean?

The last name Mewald is of German origin. It is thought to have been derived from a Germanic personal name, possibly "Meinwald," or "Maginwald," which could be translated as "mighty power." Variations of the name include Mewaldt, Mewayd, Mewayld and Miewald.

The early origin of the surname Mewald can be traced to the 12th century, when it first became established in the German region of Silesia. It likely originated from a variety of spelling forms of the same name, such as Miehwald, Miewaldt, Meinwald or Miewalt. The individuals bearing this surname were likely of a noble or aristocratic background.

Throughout history, Mewalds in Germany have been members of various professions, such as merchants, farmers, peddlers and businessmen. Many of them were also craftsmen and laborers. Others were doctors, scholars and members of the clergy.

Today, people who bear the last name Mewald are found primarily in Germany, although there are also Mewalds in many other countries around the world, including countries in Europe, North America and Australia. They are a diverse and well-respected community with many descendants of original Mewald families.

Mewald: Where does the name Mewald come from?

The last name Mewald has its origins in Germany, where it is still common today. It appears particularly frequently in the areas of Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony, as well as in the city of Dresden. The Mewald name is also found in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and across various parts of Scandinavia.

The Mewald surname is derived from an ancient Germanic word meaning ‘enclosure of a meadow’. During the Middle Ages, most people identified themselves by the area in which they lived, and the Mewalds were no different. Their name indicated where they lived and what they did for a living.

In the 21st century, the name Mewald is generally found among those of German heritage. Migration and emigration patterns have spread the name across the world, however, so it is now found in the United States, South Africa, Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Although the name Mewald is not overly common, it is still recognizable, and those who have it should be proud of their ancestry and the long history behind the name.

Variations of the surname Mewald

The variant spellings and surnames of Mewald all trace back to the same origin. Most common variants include ‘Mewold’, ‘Mewaldt’, ‘Mewoldt’, and ‘Möwald’, but there are several others, especially in English-speaking countries. The origin of the surname Mewald is German and likely derived from the personal name Měwald (Middle High German “meie” = “maiden”). It is also related to the verb “mewen”, meaning “to ride” or “to wander”, and may have referred to someone who travelled or moved about.

The use of the surname Mewald evolved in different ways in different countries. In Germany, it was often combined with or changed to the suffix “t” or “dt”, with surnames Mewaldt or Mewoldt becoming common. In Britain, the name changed once again, with the spelling becoming “Mewold”, “Mewels”, or “Mewes”, and “Mew”, “Meuwes” or “Mewus” becoming variants.

In the United States, the spelling of the surname often changed yet again. This included “Mewell”, “Mewel”, “Mellow”, “Melloway”, and “Miltow”, among many others. There are even alternatives such as “Milwald”, “Mullwald”, and “Mewall”, some of which could be a combination of ‘Mewald’ and other names.

The surname Mewald has become very widespread in different parts of the world and continues to be found in numerous areas today. As a result, there is an abundance of confusion and diversity in the spelling of the name. With some effort, however, the origin of the name, as well as its different variants and surnames, can be traced.

Famous people with the name Mewald

• Max Mewald: German mixed martial artist
• Lewis Mewald: American actor
• Arno Mewald: Dutch lingerie model
• Sigi Mewald: German writer
• Ingo Mewald: German cricketer
• Tiggy Mewald: British eventer
• Frank Mewald: German actor
• Elke Mewald: German musician
• Katja Mewald: German singer
• Hans Mewald: German film composer
• Inge Mewald: German actress
• Jürgen Mewald: German conductor
• Sabine Mewald: German athlete
• Otto Mewald: German forester
• Günther Mewald: German publicist
• Kurt Mewald: German politician
• Bernd Mewald: German cabaret artist
• Robert Mewald: German actor
• Wolfgang Mewald: German composer
• Monika Mewald: German athlete

Other surnames

Mewaldt