Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • German : topographic name from a Middle Low German field name composed of the elements kouf ‘trade’ + holt ‘forest’ denoting a location which was connected with the primary local trade (e.g. mining, salt extraction, etc.). By a process of folk etymology the second element was modified to -hold ‘loyal’, a common element of personal names.

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe