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Help[Surname] Heald and Hildreth
Could someone please give me any information they have on the origin and meaning of the surnames Heald and Hildreth? I'm not sure what nationality they are. Could they possibly be British?
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Replies
Both English. Heald is from the Old English Hylde, meaning a slope or hillside. So the name tells us that the original bearer lived near such a topographical feature.
Hildreth and Hildred are Northern English names. I suspect (don't know in other words) that they derive from a Germanic given name from the words HILD, meaning "battle", as in Hildebrand, and RED, meaning "counsel", as in Aldred.
Hildreth and Hildred are Northern English names. I suspect (don't know in other words) that they derive from a Germanic given name from the words HILD, meaning "battle", as in Hildebrand, and RED, meaning "counsel", as in Aldred.
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Most New England Hildreths trace back to Gainsford, County Durham England. The name is Germanic in origin being being anglo-saxon. Likely anglii in origin tracing back to 500 ad or so. Earlier than that I'm not so sure but possibly Norse roots?
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