Surname Soul - Meaning and Origin

Soul: What does the surname Soul mean?

The surname Soul is of English origin and is a variant of the surname Sole. It appears to derive from the Middle English term "sole" which means "single or solitary." As a nickname, it might have been given to a loner or a solitary person. Another possible origin of this surname could be topographical, referring to someone who lived by a muddy spot, from Old French "sol" meaning "mud."

However, it's also possible that it could have originated from a medieval personal name, Saul, which was common among Jewish communities in Europe. Going further back, the name Saul is of Hebrew origin, meaning "asked for or prayed for."

There's also speculation that it could have derived from the old French word 'soule', which means 'round' and was used as a term to describe a person known for their good humour, their 'roundness' or joviness.

Like many other surnames, the meaning of Soul can vary based on geographical regions and historical contexts. In general, it's important to remember that surnames often held specific meanings relevant to the profession, characteristics, or location of the original bearer.

Soul: Where does the name Soul come from?

The last name Soul is commonly found in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and the United States. It is believed to have originated in France, with records of the name appearing in the 16th century.

Traditionally, it was most commonly found in the people of the Alsatian region of France. It is believed that the name derives from the Latin word "soula", which means heart, and may have been used to denote a person who was lively or passionate.

Souls have also settled in other European countries, particularly Spanish speaking countries, and has been documented across Latin America. In the United States, Souls are most prominent in Louisiana among the Cajun and Acadian communities, and in California among French Canadians.

The name is also associated with parts of England and Wales, and Belarus. In the twentieth century, many Ukrainains and Russians also adopted Soul as a last name as a result of Napoleon's campaign during the Napoleonic War.

The Soul name is remarkably rare, with only a handful of people having it worldwide. However, it can be found in at least eight countries, suggesting that it has withstood the test of time as it slowly migrates and spreads across the world.

Variations of the surname Soul

The Soul surname is of European origin and its variants include Sol, Soule, Solle, and Sohl. A French version of the surname is Souill, and in Germany, it is spelled Soll.

In the United States, the variants of the Soul surname have gained considerable popularity. The most common modern American spellings are Soule, Soul, Soil, and Sowell. The earliest recorded use of the Soul surname dates back to the 12th century in England, where it was used to refer to an older family name of Solly or Sole. This later became shortened to Soul, and it has since been used as a surname in Britain, Ireland and the United States.

In the United States, the Soule surname is most commonly associated with settlers from Scotland and England, while Solle is usually linked to those of Dutch or German descent. In some cases, the Soul surname has become transformed into a hyphenated version, such as Soule-Carter or Soule-Morgan.

Variations in spelling of the Soul surname have resulted in a variety of other surnames, such as Sollis, Sollo, Soley, Solly, Soulsby, Soulby, Soall, and Soale. Another related surname is Soles, which is derived from the Latin word solus, meaning ‘alone’.

In the United States, the version of the Soul surname popularly used in recent centuries is Soule. This is because record-keeping errors in the 19th and 20th centuries frequently recorded people as ‘Soule’ rather than the original ‘Soul’.

Famous people with the name Soul

• Donny Osmond: Actor, Singer
• Dave Soul: Singer
• Joe Soul: Keyboardist
• L.J. Booker: Actor
• Michelle Soul: Actress
• Michael Soul: Singer
• Marc Soul: Drummer
• Breanna Yde: Actress
• Chris Soul: Songwriter
• Rowland Soul: Actor/Musician
• Lauren Soul: Singer
• Geoff Soul: Actor
• Tina Soul: Singer
• Mark Soul: Actor

Other surnames

SoudanSouderSoudersSoudilSoukopSoukoppSoukubSoukupSoukuppSouleSoulesSoultzerSoulzerSoupleeSouplisSouplySourenSouriSourisSourrySoursSousaSouserSouterSouthSouthallSouthardSouthartSouthcottSoutheard