Surname Dole - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dole: What does the surname Dole mean?
Dole is an English surname with different interpreted origins. One common belief is that it derived from the Old English term "dal" which refers to "valley". Individuals living in or near such geographical features could have received the name due to their location. It could also originate from the Old English "dael" which denotes "to share" or "to distribute". Some sources assert that it is a locational name from any of the places named with the Old English word "dol" meaning "dell" or "hollow". It is also potentially an occupational name for a toll-taker or a middleman possibly linked to the Old French term "dole", which refers to a "portion or share". Some of the earliest recordings of this surname date back to the 12th century in England. Therefore, the exact meaning may vary based on geographical location and historical context. Like most surnames, it functions primarily as an identifier and may not carry a specific, universally applicable meaning. Famous personalities with this surname include the American politician Bob Dole.
Order DNA origin analysisDole: Where does the name Dole come from?
The last name Dole is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th century term "dal" meaning "valley". The name likely started as a topographic name for someone who lived near a valley. It can also be a locational name from several places named with this word, such as Dole in Kent or Deal in Devon. Over time, the name spread to other parts of the British Isles and to the colonies in North America and Oceania due to British emigration.
Today, the surname is spread out and can be found in various parts of the world due to descendants of the British diaspora. However, it still remains more common in English-speaking countries, mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom. One famous bearer of this last name is former U.S. Senator and 1996 presidential candidate Bob Dole. Despite its dispersal, the frequency of this last name is not high, making it relatively less common compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Dole
The surname Dole has both French and English provenance. It was first found in Yorkshire (England) where the Dole family held a family seat as Lords of the manor. Notably, the French town of Dole inspired the same-name surname.
Variant spellings over the ages include Doll, Dolle, Doyle, and D'Oyle among others. These variants often emerged due to how clerks would phonetically record names in ancient bureaucratic records, which led to a single person’s name being inconsistently recorded over their lifetime.
In terms of related surnames, any names that are patronymic, topographic, or occupational that align with Dole's origins could potentially be considered related, although without specific genealogical proof it can be speculative. For instance, names like Dolman, Dolton, or Dhol might be related.
It's also important to remember that surnames often were connected to geographic location, occupation, or even personal characteristics, hence why a name like Dole – which potentially came from the Old English "dol" for "valley" – could have emerged independently in different areas, leading to non-genealogically linked Dole families. It’s always important to verify with genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Dole
- Bob Dole: An American politician and attorney who represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996. He was also the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 1996.
- Elizabeth Dole: An American politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of Labor under President George H. W. Bush, and a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. She is also the wife of Bob Dole.
- Sanford B. Dole: He was a lawyer and jurist in the Hawaiian Islands as a kingdom, protectorate, republic, and territory. He was a proponent of westernization and played a leading role in Hawaii's transition from monarchy to republic.
- James Dole: Known as the "Pineapple King," he established the pineapple industry in Hawaii and was the founder of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which later became the Dole Food Company.
- David Dole: A popular American actor known for his roles in film and television, including "The Fog" and "The Philadelphia Experiment."
- Charles Fletcher Dole: An influential Unitarian minister, speaker, and writer from Massachusetts who advocated for world peace during the early 20th century.