Surname Searles - Meaning and Origin

Searles: What does the surname Searles mean?

The last name Searles is an English occupational surname and it has French and Germanic roots. The name is derived from the Old French word 'serf', which means a servant or laborer, as it was originally used in the Middle Ages to denote an individual who worked as a servant to someone of high social standing. It may also have been derived from the Old English word 'særl', which means strong, powerful, or brave.

The Searles family has branches in England, Wales, and the United States. In the United States, the majority of people with this surname are descended from American colonists who arrived in the American Colonies shortly after the American Revolution. It has been noted that the majority of people with this surname are of English or German ancestry.

The Searles family moved from England to America in the 1700s, where they eventually settled in New England and Virginia. From this point onwards, they were widely known for their seafaring abilities and their craftsmanship. Many members of the family served in the American Revolution and the Civil War, and various Searles relatives also served as mayors, sheriffs, justices of the peace and constables in the eastern United States.

Searles is a surname worthy of holding, due to the long and noble family history it carries with it. For centuries the Searles family have been highly respected throughout the British Isles, America, and around the world. Each generation has proudly added to the family’s legacy, and the Searles name will no doubt remain strong in the annals of family history for centuries to come.

Searles: Where does the name Searles come from?

The last name Searles is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, with smaller numbers in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, and South Africa. In the US, Searles is most common in the Northeast and Midwest, with the highest concentration in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Oregon. In Canada, Searles is more widespread, appearing in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

In England, most Searles are concentrated in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, in Devon being the more populous region. There is also an upswing in this area, with more Searles appearing on the 1901 census than in 1881.

Searles is an extremely rare surname outside of Northern Europe. It is estimated that there are fewer than 1,500 people with this last name in the world. Based on a study by Forebears, it can be found in 0.018 percent of the world's population.

The origins of Searles are uncertain, and at least three distinct theories exist. The most widely accepted theory is that it is a variant of the English surname “Searle,” which itself is derived from an old English personal name, Sear. Another theory is that the last name was of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Norse word ser, meaning “doing.” Finally, a third theory posits that the name is derived from the French surname Charless or Charlesse, which was itself derived from the personal name Charles.

No matter the origin, the surname Searles has endured, and today it can be seen in small pockets around the world.

Variations of the surname Searles

Searles is an Anglicized spelling of a name of Old French origin. It is ultimately derived from the Old French given name Serlo, also spelled Serles, Sarles, Sarlois, or Serels.

Variations of Searles include: Sarles/Sarlois/Sarloiz, Sarlus, Serles/Serlis, Sarel/Sarels, Searl/Searls, Sirl/Sirls, Searliss, and Searlotte.

Surnames of related origins include Sorel, Sorely/Surley/Surly, Surl, Searcy, Seer, Serrill, Serrell, and Syerll.

The surname Searles was first brought to England in the 11th century by the Normans. It is found primarily in England, but is also found in France and parts of modern day Germany. Some notable people with this surname include American physician Thomas Nelson Searles (1875–1952), former English cricketer Maurice Raymond Searles (1929–1997), and English actor Clive Searles (1958–2007).

Famous people with the name Searles

• Miles Searles: Animation supervisor, character designer, and storyboard artist.
• John Searles: Author and television producer.
• Duncan Searles: Professional American football player.
• Tayla Searles: American professional tennis player
• Napoleon Searles: American professional basketball player
• Phyllis Searles: Former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
• Joe Searles: Former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Eric Searles: Football coach
• Edwin Searles: American amateur chess master
• Stephen Searles: Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Wesleyan University
• Thomas Searles: Basketball coach
• Cherek Searles: Professional Americas Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Ashlee Searles: Model and TV presenter
• Harvey Searles: Musician and multi-instrumentalist
• Alonzo Searles:Maxwell Air Force base Air Traffic Services Technician
• Laure Robinson Searles: Director and performer
• Anna Searles: Singer and poet
• James Searles: Marine Corps helicopter pilot
• Samuel Searles: Dean of Suffolk University
• Julie Searles: President of Philips Lighting Americas

Other surnames

SearlSearle