Ault Surname: Origin, Meaning & Family History

Etymology of the Ault Name

Derived from the Old English or Old High German 'ald' or 'alt' meaning old, used as a nickname for an elderly person or the eldest son, or from a place name incorporating this element. The German form often indicated the elder branch of a family.

Tracing the Ault Lineage

The Ault surname has been part of the English landscape since the medieval period. The development of hereditary surnames in England accelerated after the Norman Conquest, as record-keeping became more systematic and families needed fixed identifiers for legal and property purposes.

Historical records trace the Ault surname to 13th century, with the name associated with England / Germany. Parish records, tax rolls, and manorial documents from this period provide evidence of the family's presence and standing in their local communities. The geographic distribution of a surname often reveals important clues about a family's origins and the movements of their ancestors over the centuries.

The Ault family name appears in the records of the British gentry and peerage, with connections including German Alt/Ault families of long settlement sometimes used their name to claim the status of established ancient families (alte Familien) in German towns, a form of civic noble prestige. English Ault families were primarily yeoman stock.. While not every branch of a family held titles, the connection to the peerage system demonstrates the family's place within the broader social fabric of British history. Many families moved between the gentry and the titled aristocracy over the centuries, with fortunes rising and falling according to political allegiance, marriage alliances, and economic circumstances.

The Ault name has been carried by notable figures across a range of fields. Greg Ault (American politician), known as american politician, demonstrated the family name's reach beyond the traditional aristocracy. Warren Ault (American medieval historian), american medieval historian, further illustrates the diverse contributions of those bearing this surname. These individuals represent just a fraction of the Ault legacy that continues to unfold.

Coat of Arms

Coats of arms were granted to specific individuals and their descendants, not to everyone sharing a surname. If you believe you may be entitled to bear the Ault arms, the College of Arms can help verify your lineage. Learn more in our guide: How Do I Find My Family Crest?

Noble Connections

Every family has a story. Further genealogical research may reveal noble connections.

• German Alt/Ault families of long settlement sometimes used their name to claim the status of established ancient families (alte Familien) in German towns, a form of civic noble prestige. English Ault families were primarily yeoman stock.

Records of the British peerage include the Ault name, linking this family to the titled aristocracy that governed much of British public life. To understand where these titles sit in the hierarchy, see our interactive peerage hierarchy chart.

Notable Aults in History

Related Surnames

These surnames share a similar English/German origin and may have historical connections to the Ault family.

Explore England Lordship Cities

Discover the lordship history of cities connected to the Ault family's English/German heritage.