Surname Driscol - Meaning and Origin
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Driscol: What does the surname Driscol mean?
The last name Driscol originated from the Gaelic language and is derived from the Irish and Scottish surname Mac Eochaidh or Mac Dhuibhshíol. In old Gaelic, the name translates to ‘son of Duibhshíol,’ where ‘Duibhshíol’ is a compound of two words: ‘Dubh’ and ‘síol.’ In English, the literal translation of ‘Dubh’ is ‘black’ and ‘síol’ is ‘seed’ or ‘offspring.’ The meaning is interpreted to signify ‘son of the black seed’ or ‘black family’ which suggests that the Driscoll family is descended from a long line of blacksmiths, coal miners, or miners of other dark-colored ore.
Many variations of the spelling of Driscoll have been recorded over time. For example, it has been spelled as ‘Driscall,’ ‘Driskol’ and ‘Driscoll,’ as well as ‘Driscill,’ ‘Driscoule,’ ‘DriscillOhm’ and even ‘Driscolles.’
Driscoll is primarily an Irish and Scottish name, however it is also seen in the Channel Islands. Many with the Driscoll name can be traced back to Ireland, where the surname was first found in County Limerick.
The Driscoll family of Ireland have a strong history of clan allegiance and distinct family crests. The most commonly used crest is a green depiction of an arm holding a talon. In modern times, people with the Driscoll name are found in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisDriscol: Where does the name Driscol come from?
The last name Driscol is most commonly found throughout the United States and in parts of England. A report from Forebears.io in October 2020 shows that the surname is recorded most frequently in the United States, with the highest concentrations found in West Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Illinois. In these states, the most popular cities and towns include New York City, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. The same report also notes that the surname is most commonly held in England in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk.
More general surveys of the name suggest that it is also found in Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and in various other parts of the world. A survey of ancestry data and DNA markers suggest that Driscol has a predominantly Irish or Scottish ancestry. For example, Driscols in Canada today are predominantly of Irish and Scottish ancestry originating from immigrants who arrived in the 1700s and 1800s. In the United States, the most common origin is recorded as being Irish but is also followed by Scotland, England, France and Wales.
Overall, Driscol is most commonly found in West Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, Suffolk and Norfolk in England, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and various other parts of the world. Research of ancestry data and DNA markers suggests that Driscol has a predominantly Irish or Scottish origin.
Variations of the surname Driscol
Driscol (Drishol, Drissol, Driskel, Drishoel, Drishel) is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Ó Drisceoil, meaning "descendant of Drisceol" (a personal name meaning ‘strong challenger’). This surname is most commonly found in Ireland and North America.
In Ireland, the surname Driscol is most commonly associated with the O'Driscoll clan of west Cork. The name is derived from the Old Gaelic name Driscoill, meaning ‘challenger’. In Irish mythology, Drisceol was a champion for the people of Ulster and even served as an advisor to King Cormac Mac Airt.
In North America, the surname Driscol is most commonly associated with people of Ulster-Scots ancestry. It is believed to have been introduced in the 1700s by Irish and Scottish immigrants who settled in the Appalachian Mountains. This surname is also found in Canada.
Variant and alternate spellings of the surname include Drishol, Drissol, Driskel, Drishoel, and Drishel. These all originate from the same Irish surname, Ó Drisceoil.
Surnames of the same origin include O'Driscoll, Driscoe, Driscoll, and Driskill. The surname Driscol is a variant of all of these, but more commonly associated with people of Irish, Ulster-Scots, and Scottish ancestry.
Famous people with the name Driscol
- Michael Driscoll: Actor, appeared in The Last Ship and Extant
- John Driscoll: American Actor, starred in Passions
- Kathryn Driscoll: former CEO of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Dan Driscoll: Playwright, author of the play People You Know
- Paul Driscoll: Director, worked on The Librarians
- Jess Driscoll: Singer/Songwriter, performed at SXSW
- Andrew Driscoll: iRobot Chief Legal Officer
- Mary Driscoll: Business Executive who has held Leadership positions at Dell and KPMG
- Kenneth Driscoll: former Deputy Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard
- Chris Driscoll: Actor, appeared in TV Shows such as How To Get Away With Murder and The Big Bang Theory