Surname Thibold - Meaning and Origin

Thibold: What does the surname Thibold mean?

Thibold is a French surname that is derived from the given name Thibault, itself derived from the Germanic given name Theobald. This name is thought to be brought to France by Germanic invaders in the 5th and 6th centuries and it is still common in many areas in the north of France today.

Theobald is composed of two Old German elements: theud, meaning "people," and bald, meaning "bold." Combined this translates to "bold people." The surname Thibold essentially carries the same meaning, expressing the boldness of the original bearer's family and their courage.

While the origins of the surname Thibold stem from France, this family name can now be found all over the world. Primarily it can be seen in the French-speaking countries of Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean as well as in other countries with large French diasporas, such as Australia.

All in all, the last name Thibold is an appropriate symbol for a family that is fearless and proud. This proud and ancient name has been passed down over the centuries and it is sure to remain a part of the family’s identity for many years to come.

Thibold: Where does the name Thibold come from?

The last name Thibold is most common today in France and Germany, where it has its origins. In France, the surname appears mostly in the departments of Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin, which are in the north-east of the country. In Germany, it is found primarily in the western states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The surname is thought to have its roots in the Germanic personal name ‘Thibold’, derived from ‘Thiemo’ which means ‘valiant people’. It was used as a patronymic to differentiate between people of the same first name and appears in German documents from the 12th century.

The name seems to have spread to France when the Franks invaded and settled in the territories now known as Alsace and Lorraine. This is where it first appears in records, in Elgon Village of Bas-Rhin in the early 1600s. It has since spread throughout the country, but remains concentrated in the Alsace and Lorraine regions.

The sue-name has become slightly less common in recent decades, likely as a result of increased global travel and intermarriage over the last century. It is most commonly seen today in France and Germany. However, there are also small pockets of Thibolds in many European countries, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Thibold

The surname Thibold is derived from a combination of two French words: thibault and auld, which translates to brave prince or princely ruler in old German. As a result, its variants include Thibault and Thibaudeau. Spellings of Thibold can include Thibault, Thibaudeau, Thibauld, Thibeault, Thibot, Thibotte, Thibaut, Tibault, Thibou, and Thibaudeaux. The surname is common in many countries, including France, Belgium, and the United States.

The surname Thibold is sometimes spelled Thibauld, with an ‘a’ instead of an ‘o’, and various other spelling variations. In French, Thibauld can be spelled Thibaut, Thibaudeau, Thiabaut, Thiabault, Thibaud, Thibaux, Thibotey, Thibou, and Thiblet. In Belgium, Thibauld can also be spelled Thibaut, Thibaudeau, Thibeau, Thibo, Thibeault, Thibolet, Tibault, and Thibout. In English, it can be spelled Tibolt, Tibbitt, Tibbots, Tibbeds, Tibbott, Tibbets, and Tibbetts.

The surname Thibold is also related to various similar sounding surnames. The German surname Tiefbold is derived from the word for deep ruler, with variants including Teufel, Teuflein, Teufelmann, and Tiembold. The surname Tibbs is likely related to Tibbot, which is derived from Tibuau, a frankish name meaning rule. The Welsh surname Tippet is derived from the word Tipp, which means pony, as well as variants such Tippetts and Tippettson. The similar sounding surname Thebault, which is found primarily in France, is derived from the Latin name Thebaldus, which means power or dominion. Finally, the Dutch name Tibboel is derived from Theobaldus, a Latin phrase meaning people brave.

Famous people with the name Thibold

• Raúl Thiobold: Former Olympic sprinter and football player from Chile.
• Jeff Thiboldeaux: Comedian and actor from the United States
• Clémence Thiobold: French former athlete and Olympic athlete
• Maurice Thiobold: Belgian racing driver of the 1950s and 1960s
• Dario Thiobold: Swiss actor and director
• Guillaume Thiobold: French international rugby fly-half
• Jean-Claude Thiobold: French former footballer
• Jacques Thiobold: Belgian boxer of the early 20th century
• Lou Thiobold: German-American professional wrestler and trainer
• Stephen Thiobold: American pastor, author, and theologian

Other surnames

ThiboudThibout