Surname Doles - Meaning and Origin
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Doles: What does the surname Doles mean?
The surname Doles is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name Dol, which means "jester" or "entertainer." It is likely a metonymic occupational name for a jester or someone who entertained at a lord's manor or royal court. The surname may also have locational roots, originating from places named Dole, such as Dole in the department of Jura in France and a place called Dole in West Yorkshire, England. The French town's name is believed to have been derived from the Celtic word "dol" denoting a "turn in a river," while the English locality gets its name from the Old Norse term "dalr" meaning "valley." The Doles surname has various spelling variations including Dole, Doles, Doll, Dolles, Dols, Doals and others. Early records of this surname can be traced back to the 11th century in England and it spread across various countries over the centuries. Those bearing the Doles surname may have ancestral ties to these places or professions.
Order DNA origin analysisDoles: Where does the name Doles come from?
The last name Doles is believed to have originated from Northern England, specifically from a place called Dole in the parish of Kirkbride in Cumberland. The name is derived from the Old English word "dal" meaning "valley" or "dell". It was often used as a topographic name for an individual who lived in or near such a geographical feature.
During the migration era, many families with the surname Doles migrated to various countries, resulting in the spread of the name. Today, the surname Doles isn't tied to a particular region and is fairly widespread. It is found throughout England, with concentrations in the northern regions. Additionally, descendants of emigrants from the UK carrying the surname can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Variations of the name Doles may exist, depending on the country and the local language, which may also affect where the name appears to be common. The distribution of the surname Doles is quite scattered owing to this migration and subsequent generations.
Variations of the surname Doles
The surname Doles possibly originates from the Old English pre 7th Century "dal", meaning valley, in which case it is topographic for someone who lived in such a place. The surname has different variations and can be found in many ancient manuscripts. Variants of the surname Doles include; Dolles, Dole, Doll, Dale, Daile, Dales, Dalles, Doyles, Doels, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even among members of the same family.
The surname also appears as "d'Oles", signaling a geographical origin from a place named Oles. Another possible origin is from the Germanic personal name "Doll", a pet form of "Dietrich". In some cases, it could be an occupational name for a grower or dealer in a special kind of pulse or legume, Middle High German "dol", "dolman", now "Dillmann".
Names that could potentially be related to Doles through a common ancestor or a similar spelling include Dool, Doyle, Dolman, and Dillmann. It is worth noting that changes in the spelling of surnames were a common occurrence in medieval times, meaning that these different surnames could potentially have originated from the same source.
Famous people with the name Doles
- Robert Joseph Dole, better known as Bob Dole, is a prominent American politician and former military officer who served as US Senator from Kansas for many years.
- Elizabeth Dole, wife of Bob Dole, is also a celebrated American politician who has served as U.S. Senator from North Carolina. She also held cabinet positions under Presidents Reagan and Bush.
- Dorothea Dix Dole, also known as Dorothea D. Dole, was an American social reformer who played a prominent role in reforming mental asylums in the U.S.
- Scotland-born James Dole, unofficially known as the "Pineapple King", is recognized for establishing the pineapple industry in Hawaii. His company, the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, eventually became the Dole Food Company.
- Simeon Doles, an American football player who was associated with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, is another famous person with this last name.
- Sanborn Partridge Dole, usually referred to as Sanford Dole, was a lawyer and jurist in the Hawaiian Islands who played a significant role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom that lead to its annexation by the United States.