Surname Earls - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Analysis: Illuminating the Noble Connections of the Family Name 'Earls'

Employing iGENEA's DNA analysis services, I embarked on an epic quest deep into my hereditary roots. The discoveries were stunning, revealing a noble lineage tied to my family name 'Earls'. Experiencing profound development in my understanding of my origins, I walked away with a strong sense of pride in my ancestral heritage.

I. Earls

Earls: What does the surname Earls mean?

The last name Earls is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word ‘eorl’ which means ‘nobleman’. This term was used to describe a free man who held property and had certain feudal rights and responsibilities. Earls were the second highest rank of nobility in the British peerage system, after the dukes, and often acted as deputies to the monarch.

Over time, the term earl evolved into its own surname and has been used as first and last name since at least the 13th century in England. It is notable that the first recorded bearer was William de Earle who appeared in 1275 in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire.

The earliest known variant of the Earls surname is Erland, and it is most closely associated with areas in England where Scandinavian invasions were common. This variant slowly evolved into the variation Earl. Other variations include Erles, Erl, Earles, and Erlo.

In modern times, the Earls surname can be found across Britain and in many countries of the former British Empire. In America alone, many Earls have achieved notoriety: filmmaker and Founding President of the Directors Guild of America Edmund Earls, jazz singer Karrin Allyson, record producer Errol Earl, and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, to name a few.

The Earls name is a tribute to a noble ancestor and serves as a reminder of one’s family’s history and heritage. Like many ancient surnames, it has evolved over time and carries with it its own unique story of origin and descent.

Earls: Where does the name Earls come from?

The last name Earls is most common in English speaking countries. According to the General Register Office for England and Wales, Earls is the 1,301st most common surname. In Scotland, it is the 1,888th most common family name and in the United States, it is the 4,708th most frequent surname.

The Earls surname originated from Middle English in the 1300s as a nickname for someone who was a nobleman, or a keeper of land that was owned by an Earl, Count, or Baron. Early examples of the name Earls can be found in Suffolk and Essex with the first known record of the name in 1397 in Durham.

Today, the Earl surname is strongly rooted in European genealogical records and has spread to countries across the world. In the United States, the greatest concentration of people bearing the Earls surname is in Georgia and Texas, followed by Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Arkansas. North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, and California also account for a portion of Earls family members living in the US. In the United Kingdom, Earls is especially common in part of western England and the West Midlands.

The Earls surname has even spread to parts of Asia, notably the Philippines. Here, it can be found in the provinces of Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region of the Philippines.

Despite its humble beginnings, the Earls surname is now found in countries and regions around the world, from America to Europe to Asia. For centuries, it has been passed down from generation to generation, continuing the Earls family name.

Variations of the surname Earls

The surname Earls is a name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "eerl" which means nobleman or, in more modern terms, earl. Earls is the most common spelling of the surname, although it can also be found spelled in various other ways such as: Earle, Erles, Earles, Erl, Erle, and Earls.

The Earls surname can also be found as a variant form in many countries around the world. In France, the name is spelled d'Erl, while in Italy the variation is degli Erli, or “of the earls.” Similarly, in Germany, the surname can be found in the spelling Erlan and Erlhen.

In some cases, the Earls surname has been adapted to various other spellings, especially when families emigrated to other countries. For example, some families in Holland changed the name to Erffl, while in Czechoslovakia, the surname Erlich or Erlichman was used.

The Earls surname is seen in many other spelling variations, such as Erlam and Erling in Scandinavian countries. In Poland, the surname would be written as Erlank; while in other parts of Eastern Europe, it can be seen as Erlo or Erla.

In Ireland, the Earls surname is spelled as O'Earlaigh or O'Earl. Additionally, the surname may have been changed in some cases - "Hurl" is a variant of Earls, while "Nurls" is an alternative spelling. It is important to note that, while these variations are spelled differently, they all refer to the same surname.

Famous people with the name Earls

• Matthew Earls: English footballer
• Kari Earls: American singer and songwriter
• Earl Earls: American basketball player
• Jacob Earls: American actor and comedian
• Kahlil Earls: American professional BMX athlete
• Tyler Earls: American professional wrestler
• Warren Earls: American football player
• Lee Earls: American country, blues, and rock musician
• Patrick Earls: English cricketer
• Michael Earls: Irish actor and playwright
• Brian Earls: Canadian fantasy author
• D.J. Earls: American television personality
• John Earls: American songwriter
• Dinah Earls: American blues singer
• Jessie Earls: English jazz musician

Other surnames

EarlEarleEarlesEarleyEarllEarly