Surname Drabold - Meaning and Origin

Drabold: What does the surname Drabold mean?

The last name Drabold is of German origin, and derives from a location name. Specifically, the name is derived from the Old German elements “dravan” and “bald” which were combined to form “draba”, meaning “sloping meadow or cleared wetland”. It is likely that the first Drabold was from a region of this geography.

The name became popular throughout Europe as a surname, adopted as a distinctive identifier of individuals from the region where the meadow existed. Later, the name spread far beyond those original geographical locations that had given rise to it, and it is now found throughout Germany, Austria, and much of Central and Eastern Europe as well.

Today, Drabold is a popular surname in the United States, primarily among people of German or Austrian descent, though it is by no means limited to those of those ethnic backgrounds. It is likely that the vast majority of those who bear the name today continue to trace their roots back to its original German or Austrian source.

Drabold: Where does the name Drabold come from?

The last name Drabold is most prevalent in the United States today. According to the US Census of 2020, there were over 2,000 people with the name Drabold living in the US that year.

The name is also common in Austria and several other European countries, though in much smaller numbers. It has Germanic origins, and is believed to have descended from Draboldo, a name found in records from the Middle Ages. The name was more commonly found in the eastern regions of the German Empire around the 19th century.

In the US, most people who bear the name live in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and California. It is possible that some of these people may have ancestors who emigrated from Europe prior to World War I. However, it is also likely that the majority of those with the name in the US today are descended from individuals who changed their name to Drabold from other Germanic names when they moved to the US to escape discrimination.

No matter where they may have come from, those who carry the name Drabold today can take pride in the fact that they come from a long line of people who bravely faced danger and adversity in their quest for a better life.

Variations of the surname Drabold

The surname Drabold has several possible variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants include: Drabolt, Drabolte, Drable, Drabole, Drabul, Drabble, Drabbeld, and Drabblett. Additionally, Draabold and Drahbold are common spellings of the name.

Surnames of the same origin include: Drapeau, Drappel, Drappier, and Drapple. Other similar surnames are Drabbe, Drabble, Drable, Drabole, Drabul, Drabell, Drablet, Drabele, Drabblett, and Drabblen.

The meanings of these surnames vary, but they are often related to the nature of the family’s place of origin. The word “drab” is derived from the Middle English “drap” meaning “cloth” or “dress.” Thus, these surnames may have originated from someone who was known for their fine clothing or from a craft or trade related to fabric and textiles. Alternatively, the word “drab” may also have been derived from the Old English “drap” meaning “transport”—hence, a reference to someone associated with the transport trade.

More recent meanings of the same surname may refer to someone having a dull or dreary personality, and it is possible that certain references to this meaning could have arisen in certain families throughout history.

Overall, the surname Drabold has several variants and spellings, as well as surnames of the same origin. Meaningful explanations of each variant and spelling has adapted throughout time, but often focus on the family’s origin in relation to fabric and textiles, or transport.

Famous people with the name Drabold

• Charles J. Drabold: an American attorney from Ohio.
• John M. Drabold: an American sculptor who has exhibited work in both the US and Europe.
• Martin Drabold: an Austrian mountain climber, who with his wife Monica, set a record for the fastest ascent of the Zugspitze mountain in Germany.
• Ben Drabold: an American musician and composer noted for writing film scores for movies such as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and "The Time Machine".
• Nancy Drabold: an American entertainer and television personality, best known as one of the "Herb and Nancy" duo.
• Ed Drabold: an American computer engineer and inventor, who is credited with developing the IBM Personal Computer.
• Karl Drabold: a German animal behavior expert, who studied the behavior of bears and wolves in the wild.
• Albert Drabold: a former professional American football player, who played for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL.
• Abe Drabold: an American illustrator and cartoonist. He drew the cartoon series "Drabold and Friends" and "Where's Drabold?" 10. Michael Drabold: a German speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

Drabolt