QUAIL

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Quail

The surname Quail is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English word "quail" meaning a small, migratory game bird. The name is believed to have been used as a nickname for someone who resembled a quail in some way, such as being a timid or skittish individual.

The Quail surname has been traced back to the ancient county of Yorkshire in the northern region of England. It is thought to have originated as an occupational name for someone who either hunted or trapped quails for a living, or perhaps someone who worked as a quail breeder.

Variants of the Quail surname include Quaile and Quayle, with each variation having its own unique history and geographic distribution. The surname has spread beyond its Yorkshire roots to other parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, where variations of the name can be found.

Notable individuals bearing the Quail surname have made significant contributions in various fields, including literature, music, and other areas of expertise. The surname continues to be used by families across the United Kingdom and beyond, maintaining a connection to its historical origins.

There are approximately 714 people named Quail in the UK. That makes it roughly the 9,561st most common surname in Britain. Around 11 in a million people in Britain are named Quail.

Surname type: Nickname

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
Brian
David
Dylan
James
John
Joseph
Michael
Peter
Robert
Simon
William

Female

Alison
Anne
Danielle
Elizabeth
Helen
Karen
Lorraine
Margaret
Mary
Michelle
Rebecca
Shiromani
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.