Surname Sayle - Meaning and Origin

Sayle: What does the surname Sayle mean?

The name Sayle is an English surname that is most likely derived from a medieval given name. It comes from the Olde English pre 7th Century “Seaa”, meaning sea. Alternatively the name may be of Norse origin, and is derived from a nickname meaning “pole” or “stake”.

The surname Sayle has been found in documents dating back to the 13th century, indicating an early presence of the name in England. The earliest recorded spelling of this family name is "Sayl" in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. Later variations of the spelling include Seyle, Saile, Sail and Sayle.

Today, the surname Sayle is most common in the United Kingdom and in countries of British origin around the world. Within the UK, the most prominent region with this surname is the south of England.

The Sayles are a large, multigenerational family, tracing their roots back to many different places around the world. They are a respected family, known for their strong work ethic, loyalty, and strength in unity. The Sayle family values education, trades, and the arts, and many notable Sayles have left a lasting mark on the world in various fields.

Sayle: Where does the name Sayle come from?

The Sayle surname is particularly common in the United Kingdom, though the spelling can vary: Saile, Sale, Saiyle, Sayll, etc. In particular, it is concentrated in Lancashire, the Isle of Man, North Wales, Cheshire, and parts of Scotland.

Today, the Sayle surname is particularly popular in the northern parts of England and throughout Scotland. In addition, there is a notable prevalence of the surname in New Zealand, Australia, and even North America.

In North America, the Sayle surname is particularly common in Canada, Maine and New York (particularly New York City). The Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia have particularly high concentrations.

Sayle is also a particularly popular surname in Jamaica, which is likely due to the Scots-English settlers who moved to the island during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In 2020, the Sayle surname was the 11,779th most common surname in England according to Forebears, an online genealogy company. This puts it in the top 15% of surnames in the country. It is also the 1,787th most common surname in the United States.

Overall, it appears that the Sayle surname is common in multiple countries and territories around the world, showing its global reach. While the spelling can vary in different countries, the prevalence of the name remains strong.

Variations of the surname Sayle

The surname Sayle is a variant of the name Saylor, Saylors, Sailors, Sailer, Saller, Salle, Seiler, Seeler, Seiler and Seylor.

The name Sayle is derived from Apostle Saint James, and is popularly interpreted to mean “servant of James”. It is often thought to have originated in France and is often seen in Normandy in particular. It can also be found in England, Ireland and Scotland.

Sayles is an alternative spelling of Sayle. This is mostly used in the United States and some parts of Canada.

Sailors is perhaps the most popular variant on Sayle, and is of English and Irish origin. It is an occupational name and generally refers to those who had a direct profession of sailing ships.

Sally is a variant form of the name Sayle, especially popular in the United States and Canada. It can also be found in Britain and Ireland.

Seiler is an old German name derived from the Middle High German word “selen” which means “to sail”, thus making it an occupational name.

Seeler is a variant which is derived from the Old German word “segel” which means “to sail”.

Seylor is another alternative spelling of Sayle, primarily found in the United States.

Other variations of the name which have similar readings and pronunciations include Salley, Evoe, Saylo, Sailar, Saylour, Sailsbury, Sayzer, Seelors, Saihooo, Sadler and Sellers.

Famous people with the name Sayle

• Alexei Sayle: British stand-up comedian, actor, writer and musician
• Russell Sayle: American painter and educator
• Steve Sayle: English actor, television presenter, producer, and DJ
• George Sayle: Australian scientist
• Emma Sayle: British entrepreneur and founder of the sports and travel company, 3000 Adventures
• Kristin Sayle: American heptathlete
• Tim Sayle: Canadian ice hockey forward
• Joel Sayles: American college football quarterback
• Molly Sayles: American artist, writer and sculptor
• Karen Sayles: Dionne Warwick’s sister, former gospel and soul singer

Other surnames

SaylerSaylor