Surname Earles - Meaning and Origin

Earles: What does the surname Earles mean?

The surname Earles is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word “eorl” which means “nobleman" or "chief.” In the medieval feudal system, an earl was a member of the British peerage, ranking below a marquess and above a viscount. The name was traditionally used for someone who worked in the household of an earl or lived in an earl's domain.

Over time, this occupational or locational surname was adopted by various individuals and families across the UK, reflecting their service to an earl or residence within his estate. Like many other English surnames, earls can also be traced back to a specific geographical location, in this case, probably the village of Earls in the county of Kent, England.

The Earles surname may also have Norman roots as it appears in the Domesday Book, a record of a survey of English land and landholding commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

In modern times, the surname Earles is found in both the UK and countries with a history of British immigration, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Earles: Where does the name Earles come from?

The surname Earles is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "eorl," meaning "nobleman" or "earl". It's likely that the bearer of this name was the servant of an earl, or perhaps acted or looked like an earl. The name, in its various forms, first started to emerge during the 11th and 12th centuries.

The Earles surname can be seen in many places around the world due to widespread migration from the UK. However, it remains particularly common in its land of origin, England. The name is also frequently found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Over the centuries, the surname has evolved into different variations and spellings such as Earls, Erlis, Earle, and Erle. Today, people carrying the Earles surname can be found across various professions and have made notable contributions in areas such as arts, sciences, politics, and sports.

Variations of the surname Earles

The surname Earles has several variations, spelling variations, and related surnames, many originating from English, Irish, or Welsh roots. Variations or possible derivatives could include: Earle, Erl, Erle, Eirl, Ayerle, Hurl, and Erel. There may also be variations stemming from geographical locations such as Earl, Earley, Early, or Irle.

The surname may have started from the Old English title given to a high-ranking nobleman, "Earl," and then adapted to "Earles" to indicate "son of the Earl." Or it may have originated from a place name. For instance, Earley in Berkshire and West Yorkshire in England both could have contributed to the development of the Earles surname.

Similarly, the surname Early which is popular in Ireland could have been anglicized to Earles with migration. It could also come from Gaelic Ó Mocháin, (descendant of Earlang), a personal name from a double diminutive of earl ‘earl’ + the -achan suffix.

As with many surnames, variations in spelling over centuries and across geographical regions can be expected due to different languages, dialects, and possible transcription errors.

Famous people with the name Earles

• Jason Earles: An American actor, comedian, and martial artist best known for his roles as Jackson Stewart in Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" and Rudy Gillespie in the Disney XD series "Kickin' It."
• Derek Earles: British actor notable for his performance in the horror film "The Hallow."
• Austin Robert Earles: A Canadian businessman and philanthropist, best known as the founder of the BC Cancer Foundation.
• Justin Earles: An emerging comedic actor in the US, famous for his appearances in various commercials and soap operas.
• Robert Earles: A professional basketball player from the 1960s who had a brief stint in the NBA. Though not very common, the surname 'Earles' has featured in the entertainment industry, philanthropy, and sports. It's also worth mentioning that individuals with variations of this surname, such as Earle, have achieved fame in various fields worldwide. Examples include Steve Earle, an American rock, country, and folk singer-songwriter, and Sylvia Earle, an American marine biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer.

Other surnames

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