POLE
Origins of the Pole surname can be traced to the British Isles, particularly Scotland where the Gaelic language and Christian faith were predominant. The name is understood to be of English origin, with a Celtic influence evident in the broader regional context.
The first cited explanation is that it is a topographic name. According to recorded evidence, it may denote a person who dwelt near a boundary marker or a pole used for measuring or surveying land. Such a usage is supported by the Olde English word pol, which appears in early documents to describe a small lake or, more commonly, a tidal stream.
Secondly, the surname could arise from a metonymic occupational meaning. It may refer to someone who made or employed poles, for example a fisherman, a shepherd or a worker handling stake-like instruments. This interpretation emphasises a utilitarian function linked to a particular trade.
Thirdly, Pole may have functioned as a nickname for a tall and thin person. The Middle English word pol meaning “pole” or “stake” could plausibly have been applied figuratively to describe a person’s physique. This version places the name in a descriptive rather than a locational or occupational framework.
The spelling of the family name has varied considerably over several centuries. Documented forms include Pool, Poole, Pole, Paul and Paule. The earliest recorded instance is that of Mauritius de la Pole, dated 1176 in the Pipe Rolls of Devonshire during the reign of King Henry the Builder of Churches, 1154 – 1189.
Records from the late 12th and early 13th centuries provide further evidence of the name’s usage across England. Examples include Roger de Pole in the Pipe Rolls for the county of Wiltshire in 1191, Robert Poole of Poole, Chester in 1280, and John Pool in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1324. These entries demonstrate that the surname had become established enough to appear in official financial and legal documents.
A distinct third origin is linked to the Roman personal name Paulus, meaning “little.” This Latin name was popular throughout Christendom, notably borne by St. Paul of Tarsus, and was adopted by returning crusaders on the Holy Land. In England it had evolved into a common surname by the 12th century. Early examples of this derivation include William Pol of Suffolk in 1188 and William Polle of Lincolnshire in 1193.
The surname Pole is therefore the product of multiple independent sources. It has been borne by notable noble families such as the Barons de la Pole, the Earls of Pembroke, the Dukes of Suffolk and the Duke of Wellington, who assumed the combined surname Wellesley‑Pole. Across these contexts the name remains a testament to the diverse linguistic, topographical and occupational pathways that can give rise to a common family designation.
Typical given names associated with the Pole surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Daniel
- David
- John
- Michael
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
- Stephen
Female
- Angela
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Kristine
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Rebecca
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Poll
- Pohl
- Pola
- Polce
- Poel
- Ople
- Pol
- Poleo
- Paal
- Pael
- Pahl
- Pahla
- Pahle
- Paiella
- Pail
- Paila
- Paile
- Paill
- Pailla
- Pal
- Pala
- Palai
- Palao
- Palau
- Pale
- Palea
- Paleo
- Pali
- Palia
- Pall
- Palla
- Pallai
- Palle
- Palli
- Pallie
- Pallo
- Palo
- Palou
- Palu
- Paola
- Paole
- Paoli
- Paolo
- Paul
- Paula
- Paule
- Pauli
- Paulie
- Paull
- Paulle
- Paulo
- Pawl
- Pawle
- Payle
- Peail
- Peal
- Peale
- Peall
- Peel
- Peele
- Peell
- Peelo
- Pehl
- Peil
- Peile
- Peill
- Pel
- Pela
- Pelaou
- Pele
- Peli
- Pell
- Pella
- Pelle
- Pelli
- Pellie
- Pello
- Pelloe
- Pelo
- Peloe
- Pelou
- Piall
- Piehl
- Piel
- Piela
- Piele
- Pielou
- Pihl
- Piil
- Pil
- Pila
- Pile
- Pili
- Pilia
- Pill
- Pilla
- Pillai
- Pillau
- Pille
- Pilleau
- Pilli
- Pillo
- Pilo
- Piol
- Piola
- Pioli
- Pla
- Plau
- Ple
- Pleau
- Pllu
- Plue
- Poale
- Poell
- Pohle
- Poiel
- Poil
- Poile
- Polah
- Pold
- Polde
- Polec
- Polek
- Polen
- Poler
- Poles
- Polet
- Poley
- Polf
- Polge
- Poli
- Polio
- Polla
- Polle
- Polley
- Polli
- Pollie
- Pollio
- Pollo
- Polls
- Polly
- Polo
- Polt
- Polte
- Polu
- Poly
- Polz
- Pooel
- Pool
- Poola
- Poole
- Pooles
- Pooll
- Poolle
- Pooloo
- Pouell
- Pouille
- Poul
- Poule
- Poull
- Poulle
- Poulo
- Poulou
- Powl
- Powle
- Powley
- Powll
- Powls
- Powly
- Poyle
- Pual
- Puel
- Puello
- Puhl
- Pul
- Pula
- Pule
- Puleio
- Puleo
- Puli
- Pull
- Pulla
- Pulle
- Pullee
- Pulli
- Pullia
- Pulo
- Pyla
- Pyle
- Pyll
- Pylle
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Pole in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Pole are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate ginger biscuit.
There are approximately 1,523 people named Pole in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,289th most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Pole.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Pole
- Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury - Peeress, daughter of George, Duke of Clarence (1473 to 1541)
- Reginald Pole - Cardinal, the last Roman Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury (1500 to 1558)
- Edward Tudor-Pole - Actor and singer
- Sir Richard Carew Pole, 13th Baronet - Baronet
- Wellesley Tudor Pole - Theologian (1884 to 1968)
- Elizabeth Poole or Pole - Settler in Plymouth Colony (1588 to 1654)
- Sir Charles Pole, 1st Baronet - Naval officer and colonial governor (1757 to 1830)
- John W. Pole - American banker (1870 to 1958)
- Illtyd Buller Pole-Evans - South African botanist (1879 to 1968)
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.