Cole (surname)

Cole is a common surname with several possible origins, primarily of English and Irish descent.

Origin and Meaning:

• English: The most common origin is from the medieval given name "Cole," a short form of Nicholas. Nicholas, derived from the Greek "Nikolaos," meaning "victory of the people," was a popular given name throughout Europe. The suffix "-s" was often added to patronymic surnames, indicating "son of Cole."
• English: Another possibility is a topographic surname, derived from the Old English word "col," meaning "coal." This would have been used to describe someone who lived near a coal mine, charcoal burner, or someone who dealt in coal.
• Irish: In Ireland, Cole can be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Comhghaill," meaning "son of Comhghal." Comhghal is an old Irish personal name meaning "fellow pledge" or "joint pledge." The surname may have been anglicized to Cole in order to better assimilate into English-speaking society.

Distribution:

The surname Cole is widely distributed throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable People with the Surname Cole:

Numerous individuals with the surname Cole have achieved prominence in various fields, including:

• Nat King Cole (American singer and jazz pianist)
• Ashley Cole (English footballer)
• Lily Cole (English model and actress)
• Carlton Cole (English footballer)
• Cheryl Cole (English singer and television personality, now known as Cheryl)

Variations:

Variations of the surname Cole include Coles, Cool, Coole, and McCole (for the Irish variant).