Waltheof Name Meaning

The name Waltheof is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English elements "wald," meaning "rule," and "þeof," meaning "thief." Therefore, Waltheof roughly translates to "rule-thief" or "he who rules with thievery".

One of the most significant historical figures with this name was Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, a prominent English nobleman in the 11th century. He was the last of the Anglo-Saxon earls and the only English aristocrat to be executed during the reign of William I. Waltheof has a complex legacy; he is known for his involvement in a rebellion against William I, which led to his execution, but also for his piety.