This ancient surname recorded in the spellings of Eynald, Enevold, Aynold, Eynaud and the Danish patronymic Enevoldsen, is of pre 7th century Germanic origins. It derives from the words "agin" meaning the edge (of a weapon), and "wald" - to rule. The original baptismal name being "Aginwald", which in the surname period from the 12th century onwards, developed into many other forms The patronymic "sen or son" was also added, and in its various forms the surname has been recorded from the Arctic Circle down to the Pyrenees. The name was first spread by the "Viking" influence. During the period from the 7th to the 10th centuries the Viking raiders from Norway, Denmark and Sweden captured or controlled, most of Northern Europe down to and including Normandy, the place of the Norse men, much of England and Ireland, and by strategic marriages, Scotland. It is perhaps surprising then that having conquered so much, the Vikings adopted particularly German names. Surnames spread rapidly from the 12th century, but strangely a few European countries did not adopt hereditary surnames until the 19th century. This was particularly so in Scandanavia where it was the custom for the child to inherit the fathers "first" name. For example Adelae Enevoldsen, a girl, born at Holmer Sogr, Kobenhaven, on September 12th 1647, was the daughter of Envold Pederson and his wife Marie Christiensen. The first recording of the surname may be that of Johann Eynwald of Immenhausen, Germany, in 1427, during the reign of Emperor Sigsmund 1st of the Holy Roman (German) Empire.