Contents [hide]

Arnold History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies South Africa

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Arnold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Italy

Etymology of Arnold

What does the name Arnold mean?

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Arnold is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Otto I defeated the Magyars in 955. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Arnold family

The surname Arnold was first found in Austria, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs. Chronicles first mention Gregor Aroldt of Luetzen in 1504.

Early History of the Arnold family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arnold research. Another 155 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1155, 1650, 1665, 1666, 1695, 1714, 1740, 1773, 1795 and 1802 are included under the topic Early Arnold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arnold Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Arnold include Arnold, Arnoldt, Arnolds, Arnol, Arnoll, Arnolle, Arnholdt (often in Saxony), Aroldt (Franconia), Arlt (Silesia) and many more.

Early Notables of the Arnold family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Arnold were

Arnold, known as "Arnold of Brescia" (d.1155), an outstanding personality who challenged and condemned the temporal power of the Church and was executed
Christoph Arnold (1650-1695), a German amateur astronomer from Sommerfeld near Leipzig, eponym of the Arnold lunar crater
Gottfried Arnold (1666-1714), a Protestant divine born in Saxony

Arnold World Ranking

In the United States, the name Arnold is the 170^th most popular surname with an estimated 139,272 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Arnold is ranked the 503^rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,704 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Arnold is the 626^th popular surname with an estimated 73 people with that name. 3 France ranks Arnold as 1,441^st with 4,003 people. 4 Australia ranks Arnold as 243^rd with 14,122 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Arnold as 328^th with 1,907 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Arnold as 250^th with 23,892 people. 7

Arnold migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Arnold or a variant listed above:

Arnold Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William and Thomas Arnold of Nottingham, England, who settled in Higham Mass, and Watertown New York in May 1635. William later moved to Providence, Rhode Island. He was allegedly the richest man in the colony, and he was the ancestor of Benedict Arnold
Ann Arnold, aged 39, British settler from Middlesex, England who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Abigail" 8
James Arnold, aged 37, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 8
Jasper Arnold, (Shoreditch) aged 40, British settler from Middlesex who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Abigail" 8
John Arnold, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Nich Arnold, who landed in Virginia in 1706 8
Johan Arnold, who landed in New York in 1709 8
Hans Georg Arnold, who landed in America in 1709 8
Jacob Arnold, British settler who landed in New York, NY in 1710 with his wife Elisabeth 8
John Arnold, who landed in Virginia in 1714 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh Geft Arnold, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 8
Joseph Hayman Arnold, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1806 8
Henri Arnold, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1807 8
David Arnold, aged 34, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 8
J Arnold, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John C Arnold, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1902 8

Arnold migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Arnold Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Joseph Arnold from Sherborne, Dorset, was an apprentice of Henry Brooks in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland in 1752 9
Sigismund Friedrich Arnold, who arrived in Canada in 1783
Mr. Amasa Arnold, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 10
Mr. Andrew Arnold, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 10
General Benedict Arnold, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Canada c. 1783 struck off by order in council Janruary 8, 1799 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Arnold was a defendant in the Supreme Court in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1810 9
Pat Arnold from County Waterford, Ireland, was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1811 9
John Arnold from England and his brother William settled at Greenspond, Newfoundland in 1836, moved later to Traytown 9
Miss. Dorothy Arnold, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Leontine" departing 28th May 1847 from Bremen, Germany; the ship arrived on 28th July 1847 but she died on board 11
Ms. Hannah Arnold who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Leontine" departing 28th May 1847 from Bremen, Germany; the ship arrived on 28th July 1847 but she died on board 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Arnold Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Sarah Arnold, British Convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. James Arnold, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. Patrick Arnold, (b. 1792), aged 28, Irish cotton spinner who was convicted in County Meath, Ireland for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1831 14
Mr. William Arnold, Canadian convict who was convicted in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for life, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. William Arnold, British Convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Arnold Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

T Arnold, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Aldous Arnold, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
John Arnold, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Harriet Arnold, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Mr. John Arnold, British settler arriving as the 1st detachment of Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps travelling from Tilbury, Essex aboard the ship "Ramillies" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th August 1847 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arnold migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Arnold Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Thomas Arnold, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Arnold (post 1700) +

Benedict Arnold (1741-1801), American General, born at Norwich, Connecticut, 14 Jan. 1740-1, best known as a traitor in the American Revolution 18
Florence Norene "Blondie" Arnold (1927-1987), American right-handed pitcher and utility infielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1949)
Lenna B. Arnold (1920-2010), American pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Louise "Lou" Veronica Arnold (1923-2010), American pitcher who played for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Frank Harold Arnold (1934-2024), American college basketball coach
Bené Arnold (1935-2024), American ballet dancer and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Utah
David A. Arnold (1968-2022), American stand-up comedian, sitcom writer, producer, actor, writer and producer for the Netflix revival series Fuller House
David J. Arnold Jr. (1971-2021), American politician, Member of the Pennsylvania Senate (2020-2021)
Martin Arnold (1929-2013), American journalist for nearly four decades at The New York Times
Major-General William Richard Arnold (1881-1965), American Chief of Chaplains, War Department (1937-1945) 19
... (Another 211 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Arnold family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Llewellyn Arnold (1929-1979), Baldwin, (1929-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 20
Ms. Valerie Ellen Arnold (1930-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 20
Ms. Melinda Maria Arnold (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Manurewa, South Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 20

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Grace Arnold (1828-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Miss Catherine Arnold (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Miss Harriet Frances Arnold (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Mrs. Catherine Anna Arnold (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Master Tristan Joseph Arnold (1915-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21

HMS Hood

Mr. William A Arnold (b. 1894), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Kingston, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22

USS Arizona

Mr. Thell Arnold, American Ship's Cook First Class from Arkansas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23
Mr. Claude Duran Arnold Jr., American Fireman Third Class from Louisiana, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23

USS Indianapolis

Carl Lloyd Arnold (1925-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 24

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 64)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 17 Apr. 2019
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) William Arnold. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Arnold/William_Richard/USA.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew