EARLES
Origin and Meaning
The surname Earles is of purely English origin and can be traced back to the Old English word eorl, meaning “nobleman” or “chief.” In the medieval feudal system an earl was a member of the peerage ranked below a marquess and above a viscount; the name was initially employed as a patronymic, identifying the descendants of a person named Erle or “Earl.” Consequently, Earles was understood to mean “descendant of Erle” or “son of the earl.”
Historical Record
Early evidence of the surname appears in the 12th and 13th centuries. Notable entries include Hervicus Herl of Cambridge in 1210, William Erl of Hampshire in 1230, and Hugh le Erl in the Fines Court of Suffolk in 1255. The earliest documented spelling of the family name is recorded in the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds in 1095 as Lefuin Eorl, during the reign of King William I, known as “Rufus.” By the late 17th century, Thomas Earls was listed as a landholder in Christchurch, Barbados, marking one of the earliest recorded use of the name in the New World.
Variations and Related Names
Over the centuries the spelling of the name has varied considerably. Recorded forms include Earl, Hurl, Harle, Hearle, Earle, Earles, Hurles and many others. In Britain these variations often reflected regional dialects, transcription errors, or anglicisation of foreign influences. Related surnames include Erlis, Earle, Erle, Eirl, Ayerle, Earl, Earley, Early, and Irle, some of which derive from place names such as Earley in Berkshire or West Yorkshire.
Geographical Distribution
While the name remains most common in England, where it is found across the country, it has spread abroad through migration. Today the surname Earles can be found in countries with a history of British emigration, notably the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States the surname remains particularly prominent in states with early English settlement patterns.
Contemporary Relevance
People bearing the surname Earles have made contributions in a variety of fields, including the arts, sciences, public service and sport. The name retains a strong association with its noble and chief origins, and it continues to be used as a marker of family lineage and historical heritage in modern times.
Typical given names associated with the Earles surname
Male
- Anthony
- Barry
- Charles
- Christopher
- David
- Ian
- Mark
- Michael
- Peter
- Simon
- Steven
- Thomas
Female
- Barbara
- Caroline
- Catherine
- Christine
- Hayley
- Jacqueline
- Jean
- Katie
- Lesley
- Michelle
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan
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 Earles in...
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Morse
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There are approximately 397 people named Earles in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Earles.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Earles
- Pat Earles - 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.