Surname Cole - Meaning and Origin

My DNA Journey with iGENEA: Unraveling the Historical Odyssey of My Surname, Cole

My DNA analysis journey at iGENEA shed light on my ancestral roots and the history of my family name, Cole, linking me back to Medieval England and Scotland. Astonishingly, it also traced the geographical spread of my surname across several centuries up to my existence today.

V. Cole

Cole: What does the surname Cole mean?

The surname Cole is of English and Celtic origin and has several possible meanings. It is derived from the Old English word "Cola," meaning "black" or "coal," and was likely first used as a nickname for someone with dark features, such as black hair or a dark complexion. Alternatively, it could have been used as a job-related name for a person who gathered or sold coal. In the Celtic tradition, Cole comes from the personal name "Nicholas." In some cases, the name could also be locational, given to someone who lived near a hill, derived from the Old English word "col," meaning "hill." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.

Cole: Where does the name Cole come from?

The last name Cole has Anglo-Saxon origins and it was first found in Cornwall, England. The name derives from the personal name Nicholas, specifically from a diminutive form, Col. It has also been suggested that it originates from "col", an Old English word meaning "charcoal", indicating a trade like charcoal burning.

Cole is quite common today in English-speaking countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it's most prevalent in California, Texas, and Florida. In England, it's most common in the South East, particularly in counties such as Kent, Surrey, and London. It's also fairly common in Wales.

However, Cole has been adapted and transliterated into different forms in other regions of the world, making it a globally recognized surname. There are even separate but similarly pronounced surnames, such as Kohl in Germany, which also means "coal", or Kole in Belarus, which holds a different meaning. The global dispersal and localized transformation of the surname make it widely recognized in various forms and spellings.

Variations of the surname Cole

The surname Cole has several variants and forms that may derive from the same origin or given name. It's important to note that spellings often changed over time due to a variety of factors such as regional dialects and phonetic spelling.

The most commonly recognized variants and spellings of the surname Cole include Coles, Col, Coale, Coal, Coules, and Kohl. Some less common but still related variations are Coel, Coll, and Caull.

There are also several similar surnames that may not be direct variants, but could come from the same source or have a similar meaning. For example, Coalson, Colson, and Colt are surnames that could possibly share origins with Cole.

In terms of surname derivations, Cole originates from the old English word "col," which means "coal" in modern English. It was usually used as a nickname for someone with dark, black features, or a worker in a coal mine. It can also come from the old Norse personal name, Koli.

From a geographical perspective, people with this surname could come from communities that shared a name similar to Cole, like Colton, Colchester, and Coleshill.

Finally, Cole can be a Jewish surname, derived from an ornamental name or a shortened form of a compound name.

Famous people with the name Cole

• Nat King Cole: An influential American jazz pianist and vocalist.
• Natalie Cole: American singer-songwriter and actress, daughter of Nat King Cole.
• Cheryl Cole: Renowned English singer, dancer, and television personality.
• Kenneth Cole: American clothing designer known for his eponymous brand.
• J. Cole: Prominent American rapper and record producer.
• Gary Cole: Accomplished American actor known for roles in film, television, and theater.
• Cole Sprouse: American actor and twin brother of Dylan Sprouse, known for the show "Riverdale".
• Dylan Sprouse: American actor and twin brother of Cole Sprouse, famous for "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody".
• Vanessa Cole: Reality TV personality known for appearing on "WAGS."
• Cozy Cole: Famous American jazz drummer.
• Joanna Cole: Children's book author best known for the "Magic School Bus" series.
• Holly Cole: Noteworthy Canadian jazz singer.
• Old King Cole: A traditional British nursery rhyme character.
• Michael Cole: Renowned WWE professional wrestling commentator.

Other surnames

ColakColakogluColakovicColanderColasColatColbartColbeColbergColbertColbeyColbornColborneColburnColbyColcloughColczynskiColdhamColdhillColdwellColeciniColecinoColemanColenColesColettaColette