Message: "Zerelda" - Behind the Name

[Facts] Zerelda

by Pie

5/24/2010, 2:44 AM

Does anyone know anything about this name, and its history in the US? I know Jesse James' mother was given it in 1825 - are there any instances of it before that, and is it a corruption of Griselda?

#Zerelda

Replies

- Hecate +4

5/24/2010, 2:54 AM

I believe it's a form of the Germanic name Serilda (zeh-REEL-dah) meaning "armed warrior".

- marina (guest) +2

5/24/2010, 6:12 AM

Probably related to the German name Serhilde. Ethnic Origin: Teutonic, meaning "Armored warrior maiden".

- Cleveland Kent Evans (clevelandkentevans) +1

5/24/2010, 11:26 AM

I think I'd want more evidence of that before accepting a connection. How did that name get from Germany to 19th century America? And why is the name found in its early days mostly in Kentucky, not a place where there were a lot of German settlers?

- telfalathiel

5/24/2010, 12:33 PM

My great great grandmother was Sirelda Rakestraw (sometimes spelled Serelda and named after her grandmother Serilda Long). She was born in 1868 in either Indiana or Kentucky, I'm not sure which, I just know she was burried in Indiana. Her family came over from England in the 1600s. I don't have any information farther back than that to know if they originated in Germany or not, but I hope this helps some.

This message was edited 5/24/2010, 12:38 PM

- Pie

5/24/2010, 3:07 AM

Ah, great, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

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