gerold

Gerold is a masculine given name of Germanic origin that is also found as a surname. In historical documents of the German-speaking world, Gerold appears in medieval charters and chronicles, often associated with noble or clerical figures. The English form Gerald is closely related and shares the same roots.

Etymology: The name is typically analyzed as a compound of Germanic elements such as ger 'spear' and wald or vald 'ruler, power.' The combined meaning is commonly understood as 'spear ruler' or 'ruler with a spear.' Over time, spellings diverged across languages, yielding Gerold in German contexts and Gerald in English.

Usage and distribution: In modern times, Gerold is most commonly encountered in German-speaking countries. It continues to be used as a given name, though less frequently today, and it also persists as a surname derived from the given-name tradition. The name has several variants in other languages, such as Gerald in English and related forms in related Germanic languages.

Notable bearers: Throughout history, individuals named Gerold appear in records related to nobility, clergy and scholarship, reflecting the name's long-standing presence in Germanic onomastics. In contemporary times, people named Gerold may be found in German-speaking communities and among heritage populations with Germanic roots.

See also: Gerald, Gerard, Germanic given names of related origin.