POOLE
The surname Poole is of English origin, emerging within the British Isles during the Middle Ages.
It derives from the Middle English word pool, denoting a small body of still water such as a shallow lake or pond. As a surname, Poole may therefore have been a topographic name given to a person dwelling near such a water‑feature, or a habitational name for an individual originating from one of the many places called Poole, the most prominent being the coastal town in Dorset, England. The name has also been regarded as an occupational surname for a pool keeper or fisherman, occupations closely associated with local water bodies.
Historical records demonstrate a variety of early spellings, including Pool, Poole, Pole, Paul and Paule. Notable early citations are Roger de Pole in the Pipe Rolls for Wiltshire in 1191, Robert Poole of Poole near Chester in 1280, and John Pool in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1324. The title Lord Poole of Poole near Chester attests to the surname’s association with specific locales.
The locational origin of the surname can also be linked to the village of Poole near Chester, the town of Poole in Dorset, and other settlements named Pool or Poole across the British Isles. A second, topographical origin arises from the Olde English pre‑7th century word pol, which described a person dwelling by either a small lake or, more commonly, a tidal stream. Early exemplars of this source include the aforementioned Roger de Pole and the records of Robert Poole of Poole, Chester.
In addition to the topographical and locational roots, the surname Poole may have an entirely separate etymology derived from the Latin personal name Paulus, meaning “little”. This form of the name gained popularity in Christendom, having been borne by St. Paul of Tarsus, and was introduced to England by returning crusaders during the 12th century. Earliest entries of this origin include William Pol of Suffolk in 1188 and William Polle of Lincolnshire in 1193.
The first recorded spelling of the family name appears to be that of Mauritius de la Pole, dated 1176 in the Pipe Rolls of Devonshire during the reign of Henry I, known as “the Builder of Churches” (1154–1189). This early documentation confirms the surname’s presence in England well before the 12th century.
Typical given names associated with the Poole surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- 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 Poole in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Poole are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Cookie.
There are approximately 26,640 people named Poole in the UK. That makes it the 302nd most common surname in Britain. Around 409 in a million people in Britain are named Poole.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Poole
- Regan Poole - Welsh football player
- Brian Poole - Singer
- Shelly Poole - Musician
- Karen Poole - Singer
- Carolynne Poole - Singer-songwriter
- Kevin Poole - Football player
- Stanley Lane-Poole - Orientalist (1854 to 1931)
- David Poole - Football player
- Jon Poole - Singer and songwriter
- Michael Poole - Falkland Islands politician
- James Poole - Football player
- Glenn Poole - Football player
- Harry Poole - Football player
- Joe Poole - Football player (1923 to 1)
- Cyril Poole - Test and County cricketer, football player (1921 to 1996)
- Terry Poole - Football player
- Eve Poole - Writer
- Charles Lane Poole - Australian forester (1885 to 1970)
- Matt Poole - Rugby union player
- Phillip Poole - Figure skater
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.