Dating back many centuries, the Mangold Name may have taken on many variations. According to this information found on the web, there are some alternative versions of our name that are of either Spanish or Italian descent. See BOLD paragaph under the Italian portion for specific “Mangold” reference.
MANZANO SURNAME
SPANIARD VERSION
In Spain, the surname Manzano is derived from the place-name Manzano which is located in Salamanca (Leon) or Manzanos located in Alava (Vascongadas.)
Spaniard
Manzano Coat of Arms
BLAZON OF ARMS
Gules, a fesse of the same, indented argent, of four pieces in chief, and of three pieces in base.
TRANSLATION
Azure, or blue, symbolizes the planet Venus while Or, or gold, symbolizes the Sun.
CREST
An apple tree, fructed all proper.
ORIGIN
SPAIN
The place-name Manzano is derived from the Spanish word “manzano” meaning “apple-tree”. A branch of this family had their “casa solar” or “ancestral seat” in San Martin de Don (Burgos). Another branch was established in the town of Azagra (Navarra) a member of the latter one Fernandez de Manzano introduced the name to Chile.
A certification of nobility was granted to the Fernandez de Manzano family. The following are listed in the Orden de Carlos III: Esteban Manzano, Juan Iganacio Manzano and Baltasar de Manzano. The title of Marques Justis de Santa Ana was held by Manuel Jose Manzano y Justia Sandoval Garcia y Umpierres.
ITALIAN VERSION
There are a number of explanations as to the origin of the Italian surname Manzano.
Italian
Manzano Coat of Arms
BLAZON OF ARMS
Gules, a fesse of the same, indented argent, of four pieces in chief, and of three pieces in base.
TRANSLATION
Gules (red) denotes Military Fortitude and Magnanimity.
CREST
Three ostrich plumes one argent, between two gules.
TRANSLATION
The plumes signify Nobility
ORIGIN
ITALY
First of all, it is occupational in origin, being derived from the work a man did or the profession he pursued. In this case, Manzano is associated with the Italian word “manza’ which means “heifer”. Therefore, the initial bearer of this surname was a farmer or cowherd. Alternatively, Manzano may in fact be local, this time deriving from the place where a man once lived or where he once held land. Here the name is again linked to “manza”, meaning “heifer”, but it would have been applied to one who lived in the sign of the heifer.
In the Middle Ages, pictures of animals and birds were hung in front of inns and hostelries so that they would be easily identified. The original Manzano may have lived near an inn, which bore the picture of a heifer. Finally, some modern bearers of this surname may have German links.
In the year 1083, a family moved from Bavaria to Friuli and the name became “Manzano”. Undoubtedly, the German form would have been named Manzo, which is of patronymic origin, being derived from the first name of a father. It is related to “Manza”, a short form of the German personal name “Mangold” and means “son of “Manz”. An early record of this surname in Germany is in 1286 when one Dominus Mano is on written record in Sindelfingen (Wurttembergisches Urkundenbuch).
In Italy, there are numerous early records of the surname. In 1212 there is a mention of the “Castle of Manzano” (Dizionario Storico Blasonico), while in 1267 one Corrado Manzano was made a member of the government of Friuli. Variants of the name include Manzano and Manzanese. One can also find the Manzano Town in the Northen part of Italy.
Rodger's Rants, Writings, and Rambles 
I just found your blog as I out of curiosity entered my own name in google. I’m a Mangold from northwestern Switzerland, a Region where this surname is relatively widely spread. In fact, as I know, the Mangold surname originated in southern Germany, a region not far from nortwestern Switzerland. Still today, most bearers of this name in Europe live in this area . As far as I know, the ancestors of my family moved in from there somewhere at around 1400 – 1500. Around the year 1500, according to parish registers, a Mangold family lived in the tiny town of Böckten in the Canton (State) of Baselland. The very town my grandfahter was born 100 years ago. Today, the village and its neighboring towns are still home to quite a lot of Mangolds – I grew up only a few miles away.
As of the origin of the name, I have other information than you: Personally, I think an origin in either Spain or Italy is unrealistic. First of all, mobility in the middle ages was much lower than today (very much lower!) and only very few people moved very far from where they were born. in fact, moving out of a certain area was even prohibited by the authorities in certain regions (because the people were subjects of their lords – and required a permission to move and even to marry outside of their district). Secondly, even if somebody settled down far away from where he came from (for example mercenaries that could not or would not return home), they were mostly given names referring to their place of origin rather than they kept their own names. This was not unusual, as in these days, people had normally only one name and their “last name” was either their fathers name, their profession or described where they lived (take as an example the Swiss-German name Amstutz meaning “the one who lives on the steep slope”) Therefore names could change quite quickly. When the need for proper identification became bigger as bureaucracies were created to administrate regions and rulers began to make lists of their subjects – such as parish registers – some names became permanent last names. These could again derive from either profession (for example Cooper and Miller), places or from a previous “first name” (so called patronymic). That was the case with Mangold as Mangold was – in the middle ages but no more today – a popular first name. It is in its development related to the name Walter – a german name that still is today both first name and last name. And as it is the case with Walter, it refers to a leadership position: Walter has its roots in old german “waltan” and “heri”, meaning “to preside over, to dispose” and “army” as in modern german “walten” and “Heer”. Mangold derived from “manne” and “cwolt”, meaning “men” and “force, sway, violence” as in today’s german “Männer” and “Gewalt”. So it described someone who had the power and personality to rule.
I guess, the “legend” of an origin in Italy comes from a mistake: Mangold is not only a name for a person but also the name of a plant in German. (Chard or Silverbeet in English) and this plant has its origins around the Mediterrean Sea.
Greetings from Switzerland
Peter Mangold
Admittedly, the Italian/Spanish link is far-fetched at best. Thanks Peter for providing such a fascinating perspective on our name. I have done some specific history digging on our name and have discovered that my branch of the Mangold’s stems from Frankfurt, Germany (an der Oder). Here is a link to the posting that spells out what I have discovered thus far….https://themangolds.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/mangold-family-tree/. This certainly lines up with what you’re saying here. If I may Peter, I would like to convert your comment to an actual post, giving you credit of course.
Sadly, I visited Frankfurt in 1999 and didn’t even know that’s where my roots came from, I would have certainly done some research had I been there. I hope to again one day make a pilgrimage to eastern europe and perhaps research the links between our families.
Thanks again Peter and it was a pleasure to have met you too Stefan!
Dear Rodger
I’d be glad and thankful if you would make a post out of my comment. I hope, you will be able to travel to Europe and make your pilgrimage – and learn more about your ancestry.
All the best! Greetings from Switzerland
Have you studied the history of Sephardic Jews, I read some Mangold history that they believe their history is Jewish, that would fit actual documented history of the Sephardic Jews.