Earl

Definition Earl is a hereditary British surname of Old English origin, derived from the title "Earl" which means a noble or a leader. The surname is usually of toponymic origin, referring to someone who lived near an earl's residence or estate.

History The surname Earl was first found in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Norfolk in England. The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 13th century.

Variants Variants of the surname Earl include Earle, Earles, and Earll.

Notable People Notable individuals bearing the surname Earl include:

  • John Earl (1784–1848), British architect
  • David Earl (born 1972), British comedian and actor
  • Sir John Earl (1923–1982), British diplomat

References

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 8,163 people named Earl in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,155th most common surname in Britain. Around 125 in a million people in Britain are named Earl.

Surname type: Status name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Christine
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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