Surname Rosenwald - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rosenwald: What does the surname Rosenwald mean?
The surname Rosenwald is of German origin and carries a rich and vibrant meaning. It combines the words 'rosen,' which means 'roses,' and 'wald,' which means 'forest.' Therefore, Rosenwald can be translated to mean 'rose forest' or 'forest of roses.' This surname was commonly used in Germany and areas of Eastern Europe, particularly among Ashkenazi Jewish communities. It is also culturally and historically significant in the United States due to notable individuals like Julius Rosenwald, a businessman and philanthropist who significantly contributed to African-American education during the early 20th century. Therefore, the surname Rosenwald signifies not only a beautiful natural imagery but also carries historical and cultural importance.
Order DNA origin analysisRosenwald: Where does the name Rosenwald come from?
Rosenwald is commonly found in many parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, France, and Russia. It is also widespread in the United States, where millions of Americans are of Eastern European descent. Variations of the spelling, such as Rosendahl, may be found in Scandinavia.
Rosenwald is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, derived from the Yiddish name “Rozendahl”, which is a combination of the German words 'rose' (rose) and 'wald' (forest). This name was likely given to individuals living near a meadow full of rose bushes, or perhaps those associated with the rose in another way.
In the United States, the surname is especially associated with Julius Rosenwald, an immigrant from Germany who became a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist. He established the Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1889, which would later become one of the largest department stores in the world. As part of his legacy, he funded the Rosenwald Schools, which provided education to African-American children in the South between 1912 and the mid-1930s.
Rosenwald is also the name of a prominent American family. levi Strauss, the founder of the clothing company Levi Strauss & Co., was descended from the Rosenwald House of Bavaria. Other notable members of the family include former US Senator Adlai E. Stevenson II, and film producer Steven Spielberg, who is also an honorary chairman of the USC Shoah Foundation.
Variations of the surname Rosenwald
The surname Rosenwald originates from two separate sources. The first is derived from the German words "Rose" and "Wald" which means "Forest of Roses". The second is derived from the Jewish word “rose” which is an acronym for the Hebrew words “Rav Shlomo Zalman ben Moshe Abba”, meaning "Rabbi Solomon Zalman son of Moses, our Father".
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rosenwald include:
• Rosengald/Rosenhold
• Ruzinwald/Rusinwald
• Rosinwald/Rosinwalt
• Rosenwalde/Rosenwaldt
• Rosenwater/Rosenwalter
• Rosengal/Rosenwalt
• Rosentretter/Rösontretter
• Rosenwasser/Rosenwasser
• Rösental/Rosental
• Rosengarden/Rosenwold
These surnames all stem from the same Eastern European Jewish heritage. The Spellings of these names vary by region and sometimes even by family. For example, Rösental may be common in the German area, whereas Rosenwater would be typical for British and American families.
Thus, researching the surname Rosenwald and its many variants and spellings can help to trace family history and geographic roots.
Famous people with the name Rosenwald
- Julius Rosenwald: Julius Rosenwald was an American philanthropist and businessman who held the positions of president and chairman of Sears, Roebuck & Company. He is known for his philanthropic endeavors, which focused on empowering African Americans through education and community development.
- Anna Rosenwald: Anna Rosenwald was an American philanthropist and the widow of Julius Rosenwald. She was a major funder of Chicago cultural institutions including the Steppenwolf Theater, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Field Museum of Natural History.
- Mark Rosenwald: Mark Rosenwald is an American philanthropist and the son of Julius and Anna Rosenwald. He is an advocate for racial justice and has been a leader in funding efforts to increase access to quality education for students of color.
- Georgina Rosenwald: Georgina Rosenwald was an American philanthropist and the daughter of Julius and Anna Rosenwald. She was a major funder of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies in New York and the Agricultural Research Institute in Israel.
- William B. Rosenwald: William B. Rosenwald was an American philanthropist and the son of Julius and Anna Rosenwald. He supported numerous causes, including the development of the Jewish Museum in New York and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Michael Rosenwald: Michael Rosenwald is an American journalist, professor, and author. He is a writer for the Washington Post and host of the podcast “The Post Reports”.
- Louis Rosenwald: Louis Rosenwald was an American politician and entrepreneur. He served on the Chicago Board of Education and was the president of Rosenwald & Company, a major publisher of Jewish books.
- Roger Rosenwald: Roger Rosenwald is an American art historian and curator. He is the former director of the Harvard Art Museums and is a professor emeritus at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
- Irene Rosenwald: Irene Rosenwald was an American philanthropist and the widow of William B. Rosenwald. She supported the causes of women's and children's health, education, and the environment, and was a generous contributor to the arts.