Gearold is a unique and distinctive male given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Mac Giolla Eith" which means "son of the servant of St. Eithne." The name Gearold itself does not have a specific meaning, but rather it is an anglicized form of the Irish surname.
The surname Mac Giolla Eith is believed to have originated in County Donegal, Ireland. It was a sept name, which means that it belonged to a distinct clan or family group. The clan was associated with the O'Donnell dynasty, one of the most powerful families in medieval Ireland.
Over time, the surname Mac Giolla Eith evolved into various forms, including Gearold. This process was likely due to English settlers who arrived in Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century. They anglicized Irish names and created new ones based on their own language and cultural traditions.
Today, Gearold is still a rare name, but it continues to be used as a given name by families with Irish heritage or those who appreciate unique and distinctive names. It remains a strong connection to Ireland's rich history and culture.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding the name Gearold in the United States:
From 1914 to 2020, there were a total of 186 babies named Gearold born in the U.S., according to data from the Social Security Administration.
The years with the highest number of births for this name were:
- 1952: 12 babies
- 1947 and 1949: both had 10 births
It appears that Gearold was a relatively popular name during the mid-20th century, particularly in the post-World War II baby boom era.
Conversely, there were some years with no reported births for this name:
- From 1968 to 1975
- From 1977 to 1994
- From 1996 to 2020
This suggests that the name Gearold has not been widely used in recent decades.
Overall, while Gearold may not be one of the most common names in American history, it does have a notable presence in U.S. birth records, particularly during the mid-20th century.