Early

Early is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "erli", meaning 'early' or 'timely'. The name is believed to have been used to denote someone who was an early riser or who performed tasks early in the day. The surname Early is primarily found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland.

Notable Individuals:

  • Steve Early (1944-2010): British trade unionist and political activist.
  • Drew Early (b. 1982): British author and historian specializing in medieval history.
  • Caroline Early (b. 1990): British actress known for her roles in theatre and television.

The Early surname has been traced back to medieval times, and variations of the name, such as Earley and Erley, can also be found in historical records. Over the centuries, individuals with the surname Early have been involved in various fields, including politics, literature, and the arts.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A dictionary of English surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford dictionary of family names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 1,453 people named Early in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,480th most common surname in Britain. Around 22 in a million people in Britain are named Early.

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
  • Kevin
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Ann
  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Johanna
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sandra
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Theresa

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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