Surname uncles - Meaning and Origin
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uncles: What does the surname uncles mean?
The last name Uncles has its origins in the British Isles. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "Oncles" which means "kinsman". This would suggest that the Uncles family were related to one another - either through descent or marriage - in the distant past.
The name has been present in the British Isles for centuries, with records of Uncles living in England and Scotland going back to the 15th century. It is likely that the family originally came from Yorkshire, where the earliest known ancestor was a man named William Oncle.
The Uncles family has also been associated with the Royal Navy, with several officers being recorded in the navy's books in the 18th and 19th centuries. The family may also have served in the British Army, with Thomas Oncle noted as a colonel in the 18th century.
Today, the Uncles family is still present in the British Isles, as well as in Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Although the surname is not as common as some other British surnames, it is still relatively widespread. In the United States it is more rare, but the Uncles surname can still be found across the country.
Order DNA origin analysisuncles: Where does the name uncles come from?
The last name "Uncles" is an English surname with a common origin in the south-western counties of Somerset, Gloucester and Devon. It is derived from Norman French for one who serves as a guardian. Today, it is commonly found across the United Kingdom, particularly in the south western counties, and can also be found in Western Australia, where it is clearly identifiable by its French origin.
Uncles is a quite popular surname in the United States, especially among those of Irish, Scottish and Welsh descent. It has grown significantly in the last decade, becoming more widespread throughout the country. In the 2000 census, 68,421 people reported Uncles as their surname. The states with the highest population of Uncles are California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
The name Uncles has been around for centuries, and most likely derived from an ancestor with that name. As it is an English surname, it is assumed to be of Norman French origin, and the name conveyed a sense of responsibility as it referred to someone who acted as guardian. Although it has somewhat died out in England over the centuries, it remains quite common in the United States and elsewhere across the world, particularly in those countries which had significant connections with the British Isles. Uncles is also a common surname in Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname uncles
The surname Uncles has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The most common of these are Unsel, Uncel, Unselle and Unsall. All four spelling variations were found in the English language in the 11th Century. Other variants include Ornele, Ounsall, Unsell, Onselle, and Ansell.
The surname Uncles is thought to be derived from the Old English personal name Uncel. This is also known as a diminutive form of the name "Oswald". It is thought that the name was given to a distinguished man of Oswald's family or was even used affectionately to describe a child with a similar character or personality.
In Scotland, the variant spellings Ansell, Unsel and Unsell were the most prevalent. In some parts of Scotland the name could even be spelt as Unceil. In the United States, the spelling Unsall can also be found. The surname is uncommon in the United States but there are still a few families with the name there.
The surname Uncles is still used today by families in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other countries around the world. Many descendants of those early families have since changed the spelling to Ansell, Unsel, Unsell, and Unsall. The spelling might have changed over time, but the original meaning and origin remain the same.
Famous people with the name uncles
- John Uncles: American Olympic rower who won two gold medals at the 1924 games.
- Jack Uncles: British ecological farmer, former president of the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction and founder of the Global Ecovillage Network.
- Justin Uncles: Actor, known for his roles in the television shows The Americans and Stranger Things.
- Ludesenne Uncles: Former football player for the Baltimore Colts, who also played a role in the NFL Films production “The Book of Three”
- Frank Uncles: An early 20th century silent film actor who appeared in many “Lone Star” westerns.
- George Uncles: British footballer and manager.
- Charles Uncles: Early civil rights leader and member of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.
- Herbert Uncles: Nationally recognized scholar, professor, and pastor.
- Elizabeth Uncles: Painter and printmaker whose work was featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
- Ed Uncles: Screenwriter/filmmaker, best known for his work on the television show “21 Jump Street”