This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Archibald.' German, Erchanbald; Old French Archambault; Italian, Arcibaldo. Miss Yonge (ii. 255) adds, 'So frequent was it (Archibald) in the houses of Campbell and Douglas, that, with its contractions of Archie and Baldie, it has become one of the most commonly used in Scotland, recalling many a fierce worthy, from old Archibald Bell-the Cat downwards.' Archbold, Archbutt, and Archbould are modern English forms of the surname; v. Archbold, Archbutt.

Archibaldus le Flemyng, 34 Edward I: Calendarium Genealogicum: Henry III-Edward I.

Archenbald le Flemeng, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Roger Arkebald, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Richard Arkebolt, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

William Ercebaud, 44 Edward III. Issue Rolls.

Richard Archebold, sup. for B.D., Oct. 30, 1451: Register of the University of Oxford.

1557. Married—John Archembolde and Eliz, Wylson: St. Dions Backchurch.

Archambault is common in Philadelphia. Twelve representatives appear in the directory. This is the result of French immigration.

A surname derived from the personal name Archibald, in Old English Arcebald, Arcenbald, or Ercenbald, and doubtfully explained as meaning "right bold," or "holy prince." Archebaldus filius Swani de Forgrunde is mentioned in reign of William the Lion (Scon, p. 21). Erchenbaldus, Abbot of Dunfermelyne mentioned c. 1180, appears again in the same record as Arkebaldus and Arkenbaldus (Scon, p. 25, 27, 33). Thomas, the brother of Erkenbaldus, witnessed the gift of the church of Kilmaurs to the Abbey of Kelso before 1189 (Kelso, 284), and Arkembaldus de Duffus was witness to an agreement between the bishop of Moray and John Byseth concerning the churches of Coneway and Dulbatelauch between 1203—34 (REM., p. 16). Robert Archebalde had a charter of the Hospital of Roxburgh in 1390 from Robert III (RMS., I, 803), and John Archibald was a witness in St. Andrews in 1545 (Laing, 494). The OF. form of the personal name is found in Archambaud (earl of Douglas), 1405 (Bain, IV, 697). Harrison's explanation of the use of Archibald for Gaelic Gillespie is probably correct: "Archibald was adopted by the Scots as a Lowland equivalent of Gillespie because the bald was mistakenly supposed to mean 'hairless,' 'shaven,' 'servant,' and therefore to be equivalent to Gael, gille, 'servant,' 'shaven one, 'monk' Harchbald (earl of Argyll) 1493, Archombaldus 1233, Arkanbaldus 1228 Enkerbaldus a. 1189.

(Teutonic) Precious-Bold. [Teutonic Ercenbald, Erc(h)aubald, &c. (whence the French Archambault) —O.H.Ger. erchan- = Old English e(o)rcan-, e(o)rcen-, precious, sacred, bright + Teutonic bald, bold].

Archenbald le Flemeng.—Testa de Nevill.

Archibald was adopted by the Scots as a Lowland equivalent of Gillespie (q.v.) because the -bald was mistakenly sup­posed to mean ‘hairless,’ ‘shaven,’ and therefore to be equivalent to Gaelic gille, ‘ servant,’ ‘shaven one,’ ‘monk.’

“Precious-Bold” in Old German.

(English, Scottish) Descendant of Archibald (simple, bold). Archie is the pet form.

The baptismal name.

Powerful, bold.

(German.) The same as Erchenbald, a powerful, bold, and speedy learner or observer. In the Gaelic this name is called Gillespie—a favorite name with the Scotch.