Early (name)

Early is a surname and given name with multiple possible origins.

As a Surname:

The surname "Early" is of English and Irish origin.

• English Origin: It can be derived from the Old English word "eorl," meaning "earl" or "nobleman," and may have been a nickname for someone who behaved in a noble or dignified manner, or who was in service to an earl. Another possibility is that it originated as a topographical name for someone who lived near an eagle's nest, from the Old English "earn" (eagle).
• Irish Origin: In Ireland, "Early" is often an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó hÉarlaighe," meaning "descendant of Éarlaithe." Éarlaithe was a personal name, likely of Norse origin. Another, less common Irish origin is from "O'Harilly".

As a Given Name:

The given name "Early," while less common than as a surname, has been used occasionally, particularly in the United States. Its usage likely stems from the surname. Its emergence as a given name appears to be influenced by the practice of using surnames as first names, a trend particularly prominent in some regions and cultures.