Surname Poole - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Rich Tapestry of my 'Poole' Lineage through a DNA Test: A Journey through Norman, Celtic, and Old English Histories

The journey of understanding my roots began with a simple iGENEA DNA test. It provided keen insights into the rich cultural and historical foundations of my surname 'Poole.' The test traced back to English origins, revealed unexpected linkages to Normans, unravelled deep connections with Celtic tribes, and allowed a glimpse into my ancestors' likely living conditions.

L. Poole

Poole: What does the surname Poole mean?

The surname Poole is of English origin and is believed to have geographic roots. It originally referred to someone who lived near a body of water such as a pond, lake or creek. The word 'Poole' is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "pol" which means a pool or small area of still water. This name became common throughout England, particularly in regions where aquatic landmarks were significant to the local population. Despite being a location based surname, the exact origins can be difficult to trace as there are many places in England that incorporate the 'pool / pol' element in various forms. Predominantly, it's considered a topographic name for someone who lived near a pool or pond. Over time, the name Poole, like many surnames, has seen several variations in its spelling, including Poole, Pool, Pole, Poley, Polley, and others.

Poole: Where does the name Poole come from?

The last name Poole is most common in the United States today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of January 2019 Poole was the 1,711th most popular last name in the United States, with 10,231 occurrences.

The geographic distribution of the last name Poole is quite spread out with many states having a significant concentration of occurrences. The states with the highest concentration of the last name Poole are Alabama (2.48%), Arkansas (2.20%), Tennessee (2.13%), Mississippi (1.83%), and Georgia (1.40%).

The last name Poole also appears throughout the United Kingdom, with a particularly strong concentration in the southwestern county of Dorset. This is especially true of a village called Poole, which is located near the Hampshire border. Interestingly enough, the last name Poole is also especially common in the United States in the states of Tennessee and Arkansas, which are located relatively close to Dorset.

In addition to the United States and United Kingdom, the last name Poole also appears throughout much of Western Europe. This includes Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland – all countries wherein the surname was likely brought in by immigrants from the British Isles given the large number of British ex-pats living throughout these countries.

Overall, the last name Poole is not an especially common name today, but it does have some concentrated pockets around the world. Its presence is most notable in the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Western Europe.

Variations of the surname Poole

The surname Poole is an English surname that has some variant spellings including Pooley, Poule, Pool, and Pole. In some instances, the surname may be spelled Poole, with two "o"s instead of one, though this spelling is less common.

The surname Poole is derived from either an occupational name from the Middle English word pouf, meaning pool, used to denote a person who lived near a large pool, or from the Old French word pul and the Middle English pol, both meaning a pool or a small body of water. It could also be a habitational name for someone who lived near a pool, such as the villages of Poole in Derbyshire and Norfolk, and the town of Poole in Dorset.

The surname can also be of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname MacPhoil, which is an Anglicized form of Mac Phoil. This name is believed to mean "son of a gormless person".

In Australia, the surnames Pole and Poole are popular variations of the same name, while in the United States the surnames Poole and Pool are the more prevalent spellings.

Some other possible variations of this surname include Pooler, Paul, Pol, Poel, and Polle.

Famous people with the name Poole

• Adam Poole, British actor
• Adrian Poole, English footballer
• Charlotte Poole, Canadian country music singer
• David Poole, American historian
• Derrick Poole, American basketball player
• Joseph Poole, English cricketer
• Karen Poole, Canadian politician
• Mark Poole, American fantasy artist
• Meagan Poole, Canadian singer & songwriter
• Morris Poole, English music producer
• Nicky Poole, English architect & urban designer
• Peter Poole, Australian television presenter
• Ryan Poole, American dancer
• Sam Poole, English professional cricketer
• Steve Poole, American sports broadcaster
• Tim Poole, English professional wrestler
• Tony Poole, English rock musician
• Vivien Poole, American actress
• Wilbur Poole, American politician
• William Poole, American politician

Other surnames

PoolPoolke