CHARLES
Charles is a surname of Germanic origin, traditionally found within the British Isles and particularly England. It derives from the personal name Charles, itself a Latinised form of the Germanic Karl, meaning “free man” or simply “man”. The name entered English usage through the Norman influence brought after the 1066 invasion, and it has remained common in that region ever since.
The proliferation of the name throughout Europe is largely attributable to the fame of Charlemagne, known in Latin as Carolus Magnus, who reigned from 742 to 814. His legacy popularised the name in France, Britain, and beyond, leading to its adoption both as a given name and as a surname. As a family name, Charles typically signifies a descendant or someone associated with an ancestor bearing the given name Charles.
In England the name is recorded in several early documents. The earliest attested use of the spelling Osbert Cherle dates to 1193 in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire, while a 1208 charter in the county of Suffolk records the personal name Carolus. Further examples are seen in the charters of Cambridgeshire, where a Frethesant Cherl appears in 1221, and in German records of 1275, where a Rudolf Karle is listed as a monastery worker in Staabien. These early attestations demonstrate the name’s presence across the Norman‑conquered parts of England and in continental Europe.
During the Stuart era, commencing in 1603, the surname gained greater popularity in England. It was also introduced into Scotland in the 16th century, owing to the close ties between the Stuart monarchy and France. The name is thus represented across both English and Scottish records from that period onward.
Variations of the surname exhibit a wide geographic and linguistic range. Common forms include Carl, Carlo, Carletti, De Carlo, and Karlowicz, reflecting its Germanic roots and subsequent Latinisation and French adaptation. In England these variants appear in parish lists, land deeds, and legal records, indicating a broad adoption of the name within different social strata.
Migration of bearers of the name beyond Britain is documented as early as the 17th century. An example is Dorothea Charles, who sailed aboard the ship Transport of London to the Virginia colony in 1635. This illustration confirms that the surname was carried into New England during the early colonial period, establishing a presence that would persist in the Americas.
Typical given names associated with the Charles surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- Ian
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jennifer
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Charles in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 15,952 people named Charles in the UK. That makes it the 552nd most common surname in Britain. Around 245 in a million people in Britain are named Charles.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Charles
- Charles, Prince of Wales - Son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
- Craig Charles - Actor, comedian & DJ
- Charles - King of England, Ireland and Scotland (1630 to 1685)
- RuPaul Andre Charles - American drag performer, actor and musician
- John Charles - Welsh football player (1931 to 2004)
- Tina Charles - Pop music and disco singer
- Liam Charles - Baker, television presenter
- Lucy Charles-Barclay - Triathlete
- Charles - King of Spain (1661 to 1700)
- Charles - King of France (1550 to 1574)
- Howard Charles - Actor
- Jeannette Charles - Actress
- Sirach Charles - Singer/songwriter, rapper and producer
- Gary Charles - Football player from England
- King Charles - Musician
- Reice Charles-Cook - Football player
- Nicola Charles - Actress
- Maria Charles - Actress
- Darius Charles - Football player
- Clive Charles - Football player and manager (1951 to 2003)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.