Theobald (Thebaldus or Teobaldus) was born into the namesake gens (clan) Tibold, which originated from the Kingdom of Germany.
[1] Theobald elevated into the position of ispán by 1111, during the reign of Coloman, King of Hungary.
He is first mentioned in this capacity, when he accompanied his king into Dalmatia, where Coloman reaffirmed the Dalmatian towns' – Split, Trogir and Zadar – liberties in 1111.
Theobald's in the escort of the monarch is also reflected by the two privilege letters of the Zobor Abbey, issued in 1111 and 1113.
[2] According to Croatian historian Vjekoslav Klaić, Theobald held the office of ban of Slavonia sometime during his career, because later members of the kindred identified themselves "de genere Tybold bani".