Adalhard

Adalhard is a Germanic personal name derived from the elements *adal* meaning “noble” and *hard* meaning “strong” or “hardy.” The name was common among the early medieval Frankish nobility and appears in various historical documents from the 6th to the 9th centuries.

The most prominent bearer was Adalhard of Metz, a Frankish nobleman who held the title of Count of Metz in the mid‑8th century. He was a contemporary of Charlemagne and is mentioned in the annals of monasteries for his participation in imperial campaigns. Another significant figure was Adalhard of Soissons, who lived in the early 9th century and served as Count of Soissons under the Carolingian dynasty. He is noted in the *Annales Regni Francorum* for his role in local administration and territorial disputes.

Adalhard also appears in the genealogies of the Burgundian and Austrasian families. In some sources, the name is recorded as Adalhardus or Adalhard in Latinized forms. The name fell out of common usage after the 10th century, but it persists in medieval literature and on some old family records.

Modern occurrences of the name are rare; it is occasionally revived in German-speaking countries as a given name or as part of compound names. The etymological roots are reflected in similar names such as Adalric, Adalbert, and Walhard. The legacy of the name is primarily historical, linked to the early Frankish aristocracy and the geopolitical landscape of medieval Gaul.