Surname Isle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'I'
Isle: What does the surname Isle mean?
The last name "Isle" is derived from the Old French word “isle,” which means island. This suggests that the family may have originally lived on or near an island. It could also point to the individual or family being isolated or distanced from others, metaphorically representing an island. Surnames often evolve as a type of descriptor, serving to connect people to certain geographical locations, occupations, personal characteristics, or clan affiliations. Therefore, the person originally bestowed with this surname or their ancestors probably had a significant connection with an island. The usage of such geographic surnames was a common practice as it helped in easily identifying where individuals resided. It's also important to note that spelling variations are common in many surnames due to factors such as translation and transcription errors, changes in spelling trends and movement of families between countries. Therefore "Isle" could also have variants such as "Iles", "Isles", "Lisle", "Lyles", etc.
Order DNA origin analysisIsle: Where does the name Isle come from?
The surname Isle is believed to have multiple origins. Firstly, it may have derived from the Old French “isle”, which means an island. It was typically used as a topographic name for someone who lived on an island. Secondly, it's also likely to have originated from geographic locations named Isle such as L'Isle in France or the Isles of Scilly in the UK. Like many surnames that are connected with locations, it's possible that early bearers of the Isle surname were nobles, landowners, or inhabitants of those places.
Today, it's rather uncommon and dispersed globally due to emigration and other factors. The surname Isle can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and occasionally in France. In the United States, individuals with the surname Isle are primarily found in states like Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, and Kansas. However, the amount of people carrying this surname is minimal compared to other surnames, making it a relatively rare last name.
Variations of the surname Isle
The surname Isle potentially originates from two sources – English and French. When originating from England, it's usually derived from the Old English term "hyll" meaning "hill”. Other variations from English origin include Eyles, Iles, Illes, Isles, Eeles, and Eels.
If the surname Isle is of French origin, it most likely derives from the French word “île” meaning "island". Thus, variations of Isle with French roots include L'isle, De L'isle, D'isle, De Isle, and Island.
Names like Isley, Eisley, and Isler could potentially be linked to Isle. However, be aware that spelling variations of the same surname can differ considerably in their origins and meanings. For instance, Isley might actually be of Anglo-Saxon origin rather than French or English.
Throughout history, surnames often underwent changes in spelling due to illiteracy or translation from other languages so the same surname in different historical contexts or locations could have unique origins. It's always best to research individual family histories for more precise information.
Famous people with the name Isle
- Bruce Isle: Former professional Soccer player from New Zealand
- Chris Isle: Canadian skateboarder and entrepreneur
- Miriam Isle: Award-winning American country and folk singer
- Meir Isle: Prominent Greek-American businessman and philanthropist
- Alister Isle: English actor and television presenter
- Joseph Isle: Visual artist specialising in abstract expressionism
- Sam Isle: Former volleyball player and current head coach at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
- Tim Isle: Professional Squash Player and British National Squash Champion
- Jack Isle: Welsh footballer for Newport County AFC
- Bart Isle: Belgian professional cyclist