Surname Molde - Meaning and Origin
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Molde: What does the surname Molde mean?
Molde is a surname of Norwegian origin. The name is derived from the city Molde on the west coast of Norway. The word "Molde" itself is thought to originate from the Old Norse word "Moldar" meaning "soil" or "dirt", likely referring to the rich soil found in the area. This surname might have been used as a geographical identifier, referring to someone who came from this region. As with many surnames based on geographic locations, it may have been adopted by those who migrated from Molde, helping to identify their place of origin. It's important to note that the meaning of a surname typically provides insight into the history or occupation of a particular lineage but the specific significance can vary within families bearing the same surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMolde: Where does the name Molde come from?
The last name Molde is most commonly found in Norway, where it is a place name as well as a surname. The name originates from the city of Molde, situated in the Møre og Romsdal county on the western coast of Norway. Historically established as a trading post in the late Middle Ages, the city was also the site of a 1380s church, providing evidence of its early settlement.
As a surname, Molde captures many elements of the family’s cultural history. As a Norwegian last name, it is indicative of close familial ties to the original Molde settlement and connotes pride in its establishment as an important trading post. The last name Molde also speaks to a Norwegian cultural identity, as one of the most common surnames in the country.
Molde is most often seen in Norway, but can also be found in other Scandinavia countries and throughout Europe. It is not as common in North America due to immigration patterns, but today, Molde is appearing more and more as a last name in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Australia, the last name Molde is mostly found in the states of Victoria and South Australia, with some families also present in the New South Wales region.
No matter where it is found, the last name Molde is an integral part of Norway’s medieval legacy and modern-day Norwegian culture.
Variations of the surname Molde
MOLDE is a mainly Norwegian and German surname. In Norway, the surname may also appear as Molde, Molden or Moldaar. In Germany, it may appear as Möldt, Moldst, Moldsh, Moleit, and Mölden. In Swedish, the surname may appear as Molter.
The surname is derived from a toponym. This means that the surname is taken from the name of a place, not from a personal name. In this case, the name of a place called Molde in Norway. The name of the place could be derived from Old Norse and mean “wooden house” or “hut”.
There are many variants of the spelling of MOLDE in different languages, as demonstrated above. The Norwegian variants are more commonly used since it is the original origin of the surname.
MOLDE is believed to have first appeared in Norway during the Viking Age. During this time, many immigrants from other countries settled in Norway, and as a result many of them adopted Norwegian surnames. As a result, the surname likely originated from a person of foreign descent who settled in Norway and adopted the variant Molde of the toponym.
Today, the surname is mainly found in Norway and Germany, though there are a few people who have adopted the name in other countries too. In addition, it is likely that many people have modified the spelling of their surname over the years with the main variants seen in different language regions changing.
Overall, MOLDE is a mainly Norwegian and German surname which is derived from a toponym. It has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin with the main variants seen in Norway and Germany.
Famous people with the name Molde
- Erling Braut Haaland, Norwegian professional footballer
- Elisabeth Molde, Norwegian business executive
- Emil Stang, Prime Minister of Norway between 1899 and 1902
- Ida Elise Broch, Norwegian actress
- Holger Stoud Christensen, Norwegian film director
- Kåre Molde, Norwegian entrepreneur
- Kristian Malde, Norwegian music producer
- Stefán Máni M. Mánason, Icelandic lawyer and political scientist
- Kristin Malde, Norwegian-born artist
- Maria Malde, Norwegian tv personality and fashion influencer