An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Held

by Friedrich Kluge

Held, m., from the equiv. MidHG. helt (gen. hęldes), m., late OHG. hęlid, ‘hero’; corresponding to OSax. hęlith, AS. hœlep- (nom. sing., hœle), ‘man, hero,’ OIc. hǫlðr, hǫldr (from *haluþr), and halr, ‘man,’ Teut. halē̆þ-, from kalē̆t-, kalét-, may most probably be connected with Ir. calath, Bret. calet, ‘hard.’