Surname Nobles - Meaning and Origin

Voyage Through the Annals of Time: Unraveling the Nobles Surname Through DNA

The iGENEA DNA test stepped me back in time, presenting a vivid panorama of my family history. The story about my surname, Nobles, awakens tales of epoch-making events and transformative cultural selections from Old French, English, and Scandinavian histories. The narrative trails from Normandy, France, intertwines into English nobility, and fascinatingly weaves into Viking heritage, providing insights into my lineage's grand journey.

W. Nobles

Nobles: What does the surname Nobles mean?

The last name Nobles is of English origin. It typically refers to a person of high birth or rank, a nobility, or someone who works in a noble's household. Derived from the Middle English term, “noble”, which originated from the Old French and Latin words, “nobilis”, the name came to signify those having distinguished qualities, or who were notable and outstanding. The name signified notable service, or a house of noble lineage. It first appeared as a surname in medieval times, to distinguish between people with the same first names. However, it may not necessarily always denote nobility per se, as it also became a surname a servant working in a noble's house would adopt. Besides England, it also has variants in several European countries including France, Germany, and others.

Nobles: Where does the name Nobles come from?

The last name Nobles is most commonly found in the United States, although it can be found in other countries as well. In the U.S., records indicate that the most populous states featuring the Nobles name are Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

It is likely the surname has its origins in medieval England, as records of the name date back to that time. At the time, it was typically a name given to those of the knightly social order, owing to the fact it comes from the Old French word "noble". Today, the name is generally found among those with English and French ancestry.

In the U.S., some of the earliest records of the name date back to 1619 in what is today Virginia. Records from that time indicate the name was used for Abraham Nobles, who arrived in Jamestown. Since then, the name has spread across the nation, with large pockets found in the aforementioned Southern states. In 2017, the U.S. Census recorded more than 13,000 individuals with the last name Nobles.

The name also features prominently in African American culture, derived from many families who were given the last name by their slaveholders. Today, 10 percent of Nobles in the U.S. are African American.

Variations of the surname Nobles

The surname Nobles is an English patronymic surname, which is derived from the given name Noble. Variants of the surname, as well as alternate spellings and related surnames that all originate from the same source include: Noble, Noabel, Noable, Noables, Noballs, Nobbis, Nobel, Nobell, Nobile, Nobill, Noblesse, Noblett, Noblot, Noblott, Noblotts, Noell, Noells, Noil, Noill, Noin, and Nowell.

Noble is derived from the Latin word “nobilis”, meaning “noble” or “honorable”. As a surname, Noble originally referred to someone of noble status, denoting a person who may have held a title of nobility or was related to someone of noble birth. Many people who assumed the surname Noble were most likely not of actual noble heritage, but had adopted the surname as a sign of respect, admiration, or aspiration for the status it carried.

Relative surnames to the surname Nobles include; Noblesse, Noell, and Nowell. Noblesse, which is derived from the French word “noblesse” or “nobility”, is a more formal variant of the Noble surname. Noell and Nowell are both variants of the surname Neil, which is derived from the Gaelic given name Niall and also means “noble” or “champion”.

Thus, the surname Nobles is derived from the Latin word “nobilis”, meaning “noble” or “honorable”, and can be used to refer to someone with a noble heritage or someone who respects, admires or strives for that status of honor. Variants of the surname, as well as alternate spellings and related surnames of the same origin include Noble, Noabel, Noable, Noables, Noballs, Nobbis, Nobel, Nobell, Nobile, Nobill, Noblesse, Noblett, Noblot, Noblott, Noblotts, Noell, Noells, Noil, Noill, Noin, and Nowell.

Famous people with the name Nobles

• Sylvester "Sly" Nobles: Professional boxer from the American Top Team.
• Jonathon "The Noble" King: Former mixed martial arts fighter and current MMA commentator.
• Elbert "Sugar" Nobles: Professional NASCAR driver.
• Daron Nobles: American television personality most famous for hosting the popular game show "Name That Tune".
• Leeza Gibbons: Emmy award-winning television host, actress, and author with the maiden name Leeza Jane Nobles.
• Dyan Cannon: Actress, writer, director, and editor with the maiden name Dyan Kay Nobles.
• William Franklin Nobles: Civil War Medal of Honor recipient and Confederate Army officer.
• Dr. Richard Nobles: International expert on human rights and university professor.
• William "Blinky" Nobles: NBA player with the Detroit Pistons from 1961 to 1968.
• U.S. Congressman Alfred Daniel Nobles: Member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama from 1875 to 1877.

Other surnames

NobleNoblesonNoblet