Surname Leopold - Meaning and Origin
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Leopold: What does the surname Leopold mean?
The last name Leopold is of German origin. The name is derived from the words “Liuw-Bald” which translates to “brave, bold lion”. The original meaning of the name was thought to express strength, courage, and loyalty.
The Leopold surname is most commonly found in the German speaking countries, particularly in Austria. It is also frequently found throughout Eastern Europe, specifically in Poland and Hungary.
Historically, the Leopold family was associated with numerous subsequent titles and honors, ranging from Prince of Belgium to Count of Flanders. Because of their significant contributions to European culture, many European families have adopted the surname.
In some instances, the Leopold surname was combined with other popular surnames like Schwan or Schmied to form a new surname, such as the Leopoldschmied family. This occurrence was more popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Leopold family also has been associated with several notable individuals, including Leopold I of Belgium, Leopold II of Belgium, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and numerous other European rulers. In addition, many famous authors, such as Robert Louis Stevenson, have had connections with the Leopold family.
The Leopold surname is an enduring much respected name that continues to represent strength, courage, and loyalty. It is a recognized symbol of a distinguished family lineage and a proud reminder of European history.
Order DNA origin analysisLeopold: Where does the name Leopold come from?
The last name Leopold is usually associated with German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This is a surname of German, Austrian, and Swiss origin. As far as contemporary usage of the name, it is most common in Austria, where it ranks 137th in terms of most common surnames; in Germany, Leopold ranks 441st, and in Switzerland, it is 143rd.
The name Leopold is derived from the Germanic elements "liut," meaning "people," and "bold," meaning "bold," "brave," or "strong." The name was originally derived from a Germanic personal name, as it was a very popular name among Germanic royalty in the Middle Ages, used for several German and Holy Roman Emperors.
Outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the name is still common in several other European countries, particularly Austria's neighboring countries. Leopold is the 86th most common surname in Slovenia, the 169th most common in Hungary, and the 57th most common surname in the Czech Republic.
The name has also spread to North America, where it is the 410th most common surname among the population of the United States, according to the 2020 census. In Canada, it is the 360th most common surname. Leopold is also to be found in other countries, such as South Africa, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and even some South American countries like Brazil and Argentina.
Variations of the surname Leopold
The surname Leopold is a Germanic name, derived from the old German name Liutbald, which translates as “people bold”, or “brave people”. The name is found in many parts of Europe, and there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
In Germany, Variants, spellings and surnames of the name Leopold include Liutbald, Liutpold, Poldi, Luitbolt, and Luitpold. In French, the name is spelled Léopold. In Dutch, it is spelled Lioeps or Leepold, and in Czech, it is spelled Lajos or Leopold.
In English, the spelling variants include Leopold, Leopard, Leopald, Lippold, Laopold, and Lippolt. In Spanish, the spellings are Leopoldo, Leopolda, Leopoldina, Leopoldine, Leopoldo, and Lopolda. In Italian, it is spelled Lepoldo or Leopoldo.
In Scandinavia, the surname has been translated into various indigenous forms. In Denmark, it is spelled Poulsen, while in Sweden, it is Åberg, and in Norway, it is Bjørnsen. In Finland and Estonia, the name is spelled Lepola or Leinonen and Lepolu respectively.
In Eastern Europe, some forms of the name have also been translated into various Slavic languages. In Slovakia, the name is spelled Leopold. In Serbia, Poland, Croatia, and Slovenia, the name is spelled Leopold, Löb, Lub, Löbel, and Löbowski, respectively.
Overall, the surname Leopold has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, depending on the region and language of the country.
Famous people with the name Leopold
- Joe Leopold: politician, Illinois state senator
- Robert Leopold: former CEO of Primus Telecommunications Group
- Eugene Leopold Weiskopf: mathematician and aeronautics engineer
- Peter N. Leopold: artist and designer
- Kasimir Felix Wegleitner Leopold: Polish count
- Bruno Leopold: German film actor
- Aimee Leopold: American painter
- Winifred Leopold: American heiress
- Alfred Leopold: German actor and theater director
- Ludovica Leopold: Formula 1 race car driver
- Leopold III of Belgium: former King of Belgium
- Stanislaus Leopold Rebmann: German Jesuit missionary
- Ignaz Leopold: Austrian court Chamberlain and diplomat
- Joseph Leopold: Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Ferdinand Leopold: former Grand Duke of Tuscany
- Louis Hippolyte Leopold: French-Canadianctor
- Phillip Leopold: American soldier and philanthropist
- Leopold Liebknecht: German lawyer and politician
- Lawrence Leopold: American sculptor
- Leopold Survage: French artist and painter