Surname Mole - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mole: What does the surname Mole mean?
The surname Mole is of English origin and derived from the Middle English term "mol", meaning a mole (the small burrowing animal). It was likely used as a nickname in medieval times for someone who worked in darkness or underground, such as a miner or a tunneler. It was also possibly used to describe a person who had a mole (a natural dark spot or small dark lump on a person's skin) or someone who was believed to have the characteristics associated with a mole, such as poor eyesight or a secretive nature. Like many surnames, it originally served to help distinguish people with the same first name in the same community. Over time, it came to be passed down along family lines and is now used more to signify family ties than to describe personal characteristics. Alternate spelling variations of this surname include Moll, Molle, and Mol.
Order DNA origin analysisMole: Where does the name Mole come from?
The surname Mole is primarily found in the English-speaking countries of Great Britain and Ireland. It is most common in the southwestern counties of England, particularly Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. It is also found in large numbers in the Midlands and East Anglia, with small numbers in the north.
In the United States, the Mole surname is primarily found in the New England states, though other states have smaller populations. It can also be found in Australia, primarily in Victoria and New South Wales. Canada has a few small populations, primarily concentrated in British Columbia.
Mole is believed to be of English or Norman origin, and has multiple possible meanings. In some cases, it may be derived from an Old French word meaning “spade” or a Norman word meaning “marsh”. It may also have been an occupational name for a mason, or it may have originated as a nickname for someone who was somber and moody.
The Mole surname is still quite common today. It has undergone numerous spelling changes over the centuries, making it difficult to trace back to its original form. It is still found primarily in the UK and US, but other nations such as Australia and Canada also contain populations of the surname.
Variations of the surname Mole
The surname Mole is derived from the English word meaning ‘earth creature’. Mole could also be spelt as Mool, Mule, Moole, Molle, and Moal. Variants of the name can be found in various European countries, including in Scotland, England, and Ireland.
In England, the spelling Mule is relatively common, as is the spelling Mool. In Scotland, the spelling Molle is more widely used, as is the spelling Moole.
In France, the spelling Moal has been used since the early 18th century, and is still in common usage today. It is believed that the spelling Molle or Moole may have originated in France. It is likely that these variations evolved from the spelling Moal, and may have been introduced by the early settlers in the area.
The majority of the variations of the name Mole are of French origin. However, the name is also thought to have originated in the Middle East. In countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, the name is widely used and is spelt as Mool.
The variations of the surname may not always seem to be related, but they are all ultimately derived from the same word – a mole. Therefore, it is likely that the variations reflect a gradual evolution over time of the spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name Mole
- Steve Mole: English actor and first-class cricketer.
- Joe Mole: Former British rugby league player.
- Andrew Mole: British television and stage actor.
- Tom Mole: Professor of English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London.
- Thelma Mole: American actress.
- Eddie Mole: Welsh international footballer.
- Brian Mole: British actor and playwright.
- Eliza Mole: Actress and presenter.
- Colin Mole: British former professional footballer.
- Mark Mole: British television and stage actor.