Surname Driscoll - Meaning and Origin

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V. Driscoll

Driscoll: What does the surname Driscoll mean?

Driscoll is an Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic name "Ó hEidirsceoil", which means "descendant of the interpreter." The name Driscoll has its roots in the southwestern part of Ireland, particularly in the county of Cork, where it has been traced back to the mid 13th century. The Gaelic word "Eidirsceol" was a sobriquet for someone who was considered a go-between or an intermediary, which later evolved into a surname and further anglicized to Driscoll. The O'Driscolls were a noted clan and have significantly contributed to Irish history. The last name may have different variations in spelling such as Driscol, O'Driscol, O'Driscoll, and more.

Driscoll: Where does the name Driscoll come from?

The last name Driscoll is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "O hEidersceoil," which means "descendant of the interpreter." The O’Driscolls were known as a maritime people, historically centered around Baltimore and other areas of West Cork in Ireland.

Today, the surname is still most common in Ireland due to ancestral lineage. Specifically, it's prevalent in the County Cork region which was historically under the rule of the O'Driscolls in medieval times. Despite significant emigration from Ireland due to societal and economic issues such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, many Irish descendants have retained their family names which led to the spread of the surname globally.

Therefore, it is also relatively widespread in countries with significant populations of Irish descendants such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, even in these countries, the frequency of the surname Driscoll is not as high as other more common surnames.

Variations of the surname Driscoll

The surname Driscoll originated from the Irish Gaelic name "Ó hEidirsceóil", which primarily means "interpreter." It is associated with the region of West Cork in Ireland. Changes in pronunciation and spelling caused many variations of this surname. It's also believed that many bearers of the name anglicized it to Ridley in the 17th century.

Other variants and spellings include: O'Driscoll, O'Driscole, Driscol, Driskell, Driskill, Driskel, Driscall, Driscal, Driscol, O'Driscole, Driskolls, O'Driskell, and Driskol.

Note, surnames combined with prefix like "O" used to signify "descendant of" in Irish culture, therefore surnames like O'Driscoll or O'Driscole are very common.

As for surnames with the same origin, some of those include: Hurley, Crowley, Coughlan, and Cadogan. These are surnames that are also associated with the region of West Cork in Ireland.

Finally, remember that the exact spelling of the surname can change drastically based on immigration records, regional dialects and pronunciation, and personal preference of the family themselves.

Famous people with the name Driscoll

• Mark Driscoll: An American evangelical pastor and author.
• Peter Driscoll: A British author best known for his espionage novels.
• Steve Driscoll: A Canadian professional hockey player.
• Daniel Driscoll: An English professional rugby player.
• Michael Driscoll: Former Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University in England.
• Tim Driscoll: An Australian professional rugby league player.
• Julia Driscoll: An American political activist and death penalty reform advocate.
• Shae Driscoll: An Australian actress best known for her roles in soap operas.
• Jerome Driscoll: An American novelist and creative writing professor.
• James Driscoll: An American professional golfer.
• Phil Driscoll: An American musician and evangelist known for his trumpet playing and vocal performances.
• Nicholas Driscoll: An American lawyer, public servant, and businessman.
• Ruth Driscoll: A British artist and fashion designer based in London.
• Kevin Driscoll: An American technology and media scholar.
• Patrick Driscoll: An English professional footballer who played as a striker.
• John O'Driscoll: A former Irish rugby international.

Other surnames

Driscol