Gulde

Gulde is a surname and place name of European origin. As a surname, it occurs in Germanic-language regions and can be found in genealogical records dating to the late medieval period. The name may derive from toponymic sources (a place named Gulde) or from given-name elements that were later used as surnames, including possible connections to words meaning gold or gilding in local languages. The exact etymology is not definitively established, and multiple independently arising roots are plausible in different locales.

Variants observed in historical records include Gulde, Guelde, Guld, and, less commonly, Geld. The spelling typically reflects the phonology of the regional language and scribal practices.

Geographically, Gulde is most commonly found in parts of Germany and the Low Countries, with presence in neighboring Scandinavian countries through migration and mobility. In modern times, genealogical databases and church records are common sources for tracing Gulde lineages.

Place-name usage is less common but appears in a few Central European locales, where Gulde designates small settlements or geographic features linked to historical landholding or parish boundaries. In academic and genealogical contexts, Gulde is treated as a relatively uncommon name with regional significance rather than a widely distributed surname.