COLES
Coles is a surname of English provenance, predominantly found within the British Isles. It is intrinsically linked to the English language and its historical Christian inhabitants.
There are several distinct derivations associated with the name. One possible source is the medieval given name Cola, a shortened form of Nicholas, which itself conveys the meaning “victory of the people.” Another plausible origin is a topographic reference, designating an individual who lived near a coal seam or who was involved in the production of charcoal. The surname is likewise connected to the occupation of a coal seller. These varied strands suggest that the surname Coles most likely has a composite origin with multiple interpretations.
The patronymic form Coles is derived from the personal name Cole, which itself may arise from two early roots. First, it is a Middle English pet form of Nicholas and, alternatively, it may stem from the Old English byname Cola, meaning coal black. This latter meaning would have served as a nickname for a person of deep‑holed black hair or a dark complexion. Instances of the forename Cola and its variant Cole are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. In the Hampshire Winton Rolls of 1148, a Geoffrey Cole is listed, yet the patronymic surname does not appear until the mid-16th century. Variants of the modern surname include Coles, Coales, Coules, Cowles and Coleson.
Historical documentation provides a number of early instances of the surname. In 1555 the Register of the Freemen of the City of York recorded a George Coles during the reign of Queen Mary I. The first recorded marriage involving the name took place on 24 June 1565, when William Coles married Margarett Warton at St. Stephen's, Coleman Street, London. In the following century, one Edward Coles, aged twenty, embarked on the vessel “Thomas and John” from the port of London in June 1635, bound for Virginia, and is regarded as one of the earliest settlers of the American colonies carrying the family name.
Typical given names associated with the Coles surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Anne
- Christine
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Cole
- Coules
- Colas
- Cohl
- Coal
- Coales
- Choles
- Coals
- Chole
- Coels
- Cloes
- Colea
- Colee
- Coley
- Colie
- Colies
- Colis
- Coll
- Collas
- Colleis
- Colles
- Colless
- Collies
- Collis
- Colls
- Colmes
- Coloe
- Colus
- Colye
- Cooles
- Cowl
- Cowls
- Kole
- Koles
- Coaley
- Coall
- Cohley
- Colias
- Colios
- Collee
- Colley
- Collie
- Colme
- Colne
- Colsey
- Colts
- Cowlee
- Cowley
- Cowlie
- Khole
- Kohls
- Callus
- Closs
- Colliss
- Coyles
- Gullis
- Kalsi
- Kellas
- Kells
- Kelso
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Coles in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Coles are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 19,334 people named Coles in the UK. That makes it the 447th most common surname in Britain. Around 297 in a million people in Britain are named Coles.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Coles
- Dennis Coles - American rapper from New York
- Richard Coles - Musician, journalist and priest
- Nathaniel Adams Coles - American singer and jazz pianist (1919 to 1965)
- Michael Coles - Actor (1936 to 2005)
- Neil Coles - Golfer
- Joanna Coles -
- Danny Coles - Football player
- Bryony Coles - Archaeologist
- Peter Coles - Theoretical cosmologist
- Matt Coles - Cricketer
- Robert Coles - Golfer
- David Coles - Football player
- John Coles - Diplomat
- Glynis Coles - Tennis player
- Cecil Coles - Composer (1888 to 1918)
- Nick Coles - Cricketer
- Fenton Coles - Welsh rugby union player
- Michael Coles - Speedway rider
- Albert John Coles - (1876 to 1965)
- Donald Coles - Football player
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.