Meaning & History
Arioald is a Latinized form of the Germanic name Hariwald, which is itself a precursor to the modern Harold. The name ultimately derives from the Old English Hereweald, composed of the elements here "army" and weald "powerful, mighty".
Etymology
The name Arioaldus enters the historical record as a Latinized version of the Lombard form of Hariwald. Among the Lombards, who were a Germanic people ruling over Italy in the Early Middle Ages, the name was borne by a 7th-century king.Historical Bearers
Arioald was king of the Lombards from 626 to 636. Prior to ascending the throne, he served as Duke of Turin. He married Princess Gundeberga, the daughter of King Agilulf and Queen Theodelinda. Unlike his Catholic in-laws, Arioald adhered to Arian Christianity, a branch that rejected the Nicene Creed. He came to power by deposing Agilulf's son, King Adaloald, who had reportedly gone insane, with the backing of the Lombard nobility. As king, Arioald locked his wife in a monastery on charges of conspiring against him with Duke Tasson of Friuli. He also reestablished Arianism as the state religion of the Lombard kingdom. His military campaigns primarily involved repelling an invasion by the Avars in northeastern Italy.Related Forms
Variants of the name include the Old English Hereweald, the Scandinavian Harald, the Germanic Hariwald, and the Italian Aroldo.- Meaning: "Army power" or "mighty warrior"
- Origin: Germanic (Lombard) from Hariwald
- Usage: 7th-century Lombard Italy
- Type: Historical masculine name
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Arioald