NEALE
Also recorded as Neal E
Neale
Neale is a surname of English origin, deriving from the Middle English personal name Neal, which ultimately comes from the Old French name Neel, itself a version of Niel. The surname is known to have several variations including Neal, Neil, and O'Neil.
Origin and Meaning
The surname Neale is of patronymic origin, meaning it was originally based on the first name of a father or ancestor. In this case, it is believed to have derived from the personal name Neal, which in turn likely originates from the Old French name Neel. The name Neel is derived from the Latin name "Nigellus," which means "black."
Distribution and Popularity
The surname Neale is most commonly found in the British Isles, particularly in England. It is also present in Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of the English-speaking world. Neale is not among the most common surnames in the United Kingdom, but it has maintained a degree of popularity, particularly in certain regions.
Notable Bearers
Over the centuries, the Neale surname has been borne by several notable individuals, including but not limited to:
- Sir Harry Neale (1862–1943) – A British politician and Member of Parliament.
- Shanna Neale (b. 1985) – A British artist known for her contemporary surrealist paintings.
- John Neale (1915–2002) – An English cricketer who played for Lancashire and England in the 1930s and 1940s.
Variants and Related Surnames
As with many surnames, Neale has several variations and related names. Some of the most common variants include Neal, Neil, and O'Neil. While these names may have distinct histories and meanings, they are often considered interchangeable with Neale thanks to linguistic evolution and the fluid nature of surnames.
In conclusion, the surname Neale is a British surname with a rich history and diverse variations. It has been borne by individuals from various walks of life and continues to be present in contemporary society, maintaining a link to its origins and the individuals who carried the name in the past.
There are approximately 13,268 people named Neale in the UK. That makes it the 677th most common surname in Britain. Around 204 in a million people in Britain are named Neale.
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
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Angela
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Janet
- Julie
- Linda
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
- Kneale
- Knell
- McNeill
- Neall
- Neal
- Neil
- Niel
- Nell
- Neagle
- Nall
- Nilsson
- Neils
- Neilsen
- Nelsen
- Nielson
- Nielsen
- Niell
- Nelson
- Neilson
- Naile
- Naill
- Knaile
- Kneel
- Kneill
- Nael
- Nailes
- Naisle
- Nale
- Nasle
- Nayal
- Nayle
- Nayles
- Neail
- Neales
- Nealey
- Neel
- Neele
- Neial
- Neile
- Neiles
- Neill
- Neille
- Nele
- Nelle
- Neyle
- Nieal
- Kneal
- Knealey
- Nahle
- Naley
- Nayall
- Nealy
- Neeal
- Neela
- Neeli
- Neilie
- Neills
- Nellie
- Niells
- Nealen
- Nealer
- Nel
- Noall
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.