A male name. Old German Arenvald, compound of arin ‘eagle’ and vald ‘power’. It early became Arnoald, Arnald, and finally Arnold. The Normans brought it to England in the French form Arnaud, Arnaut, which accounts for the common Middle English Arnott. The occasional Ernald, Ernold which are found in the 11th and 12th C may represent a survival of the corresponding Old English name Earnweald. The modern form Arnold is probably a comparatively late back­formation from the Latin Arnoldus (cf. the supersession of Harry by Henry). It was a very popular name in the 12th and 13th C and gave rise to a number of surnames (e.g. Arnold, Arnoll, Arnot, Arnott, Arnould, Arnald, Arnall, Arnell, Arnet, Arnett. Later it fell out of use. Camden (1605) seems to regard it as a rare name, but mentions that ‘it hath been common in the old family of the Boyses’. C. W. Bardsley, Dictionary of English and WelshSurnames (pub. 1901), writing about 1870, says ‘of course Arnold is now practically forgotten as a personal name in England’. That is far from being true to-day, when Arnold is once more a comparatively popular name. Ernaldus Domesday Book 1086. Arnoldus Curia Regis Rolls 1189-1213. Arnald or Arnaud Hundred Rolls 1273. Ernald Hundred Rolls 1273. Arnet Hundred Rolls 1273.