Surname Besold - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Besold: What does the surname Besold mean?
The last name Besold is of German origin and derives from the Middle High German personal name Besolt. This name is a combination of besan, meaning “to kiss”, and walt, meaning “rule”. It is believed that the name was initially used as a nickname for a person who was strong-willed and forceful, and hence the literal translation of the name was “the one who kisses and rules”.
The surname Besold is not very common in the United States, although some individuals with the surname can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Oregon. It is more popular in Germany, where it is used frequently.
As a given name, Besold has been used since ancient times and is still given as a modern first name to newborns of German heritage. The name is often used in combination with other traditional German names, such as Bette, Bettina, and Bett, making it a popular choice among German-Americans. Parents who seek to give their children traditional names look to Besold as one of the simpler choices.
Generally, the name Besold is associated with strength, independence, and determination. Those that bear the name are thought to be courageous, loyal, and witty, and often devote their energy to worthy causes. Whether as a surname or a given name, Besold is truly a name to be admired.
Order DNA origin analysisBesold: Where does the name Besold come from?
The last name Besold is commonly found in Germany today. Besold is a German and UpperGerman surname dating as far back as the early Middle Ages. In Germany, it is found predominantly in the west, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Outside of Germany, this surname is not as widely-found, though it does have a presence in countries like Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The earliest known records of the Besold surname include Ansgir Besold, who lived in the 12th century in Germany, and Johannes Besold, who was recorded in 1350. Throughout Germanic regions, many records exist of the individuals who bore the Besold name.
The root of the Besold name is likely of Slavic origin or possibly of German descent, though many historians believe it was derived from Old German, from the word “besalt,” referring to the production of leather bindings and ornaments.
Besolds today are known for their traditional values, industriousness, creativity and strength. They have a strong presence in many industries and are considered an important part of German culture.
Variations of the surname Besold
Besold (variants Bold, Bösseld, Bezoold, Bezoit or Bezold) is a German surname that originated from the old German word “Besold” which means “valiant soldier”. The name has been recorded in various forms throughout Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Some spellings that have been found are BÌeßeld,Besoldt, Bìssold, Besolt, Besyld, Besylt, Besuld, Bezuold, Bezoyld, Bezueld, Becolth and Bésoit.
In the Netherlands, the surname Besold is also sometimes referred to as Bessold or Bessolt. In Denmark, Besold can be spelled Besuld. In Austria, Bezoit is the most common spelling and can be spelt Bezoit, Bezoite, Bezoyt or Bezuot. In Poland, the name can be found as Bezold. In the United States, the spelling of Besold is commonly changed to Bessold or Bessolt.
Apart from the spelling differences, the surname is also found as several surnames with similar origin such as Bässold, Bässoll, Beßolth, Beßoldt, Beysold, Schöld, Scherzold, Spoeßel, and Chreszold. These variants of the surname Besold have all derived from the Middle High German word “besolden” which means “to equip a knight”.
The Besold surname is said to have originated from the small state of Thuringia, Germany and is believed to have been used by a noble family in the early centuries. From the 14th century, the name spread into other parts of Europe and was used by a number of noble families from different countries.
It is also said that the surname Besold can be found in countries outside of Europe such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and Japan.
Overall, the surname Besold has several variant spellings and surnames of similar origin, all of which have derived from the same origin of the word “besolden” and can be found in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Besold
- Julius Besold (1525–1587), German theologian
- Albert Besold (1857–1936), a German woodcut engraver
- Alexander Besold (1567–1638), a German philosopher
- A.H. Besold (1850–1906), a German physician
- Friedrich Wilhelm Besold (1756–1827), a German historian
- Carl Besold (1841–1890), a German teacher
- August Besold (1843–1908), a German Protestant theologian
- Martin Besold (1581–1645), a German Protestant theologian
- Basil Besold (1780–1865), a German naturalist
- Hermann Besold (1871–1939), a German social philosopher
- Roberto Besold (b. 1969), an Italian ice hockey player
- Xavier Besold (b. 1998), an Irish-Italian association footballer
- Philipp Besold (1590–1648), a German jurist
- Ludwig Besold (1907–1980), a German geographer
- Johann Besold (1577–1625), a German theologian