Surname Scale - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Scale: What does the surname Scale mean?
The origin of the last name Scale is uncertain. It is likely derived from the Old English word meaning “to climb” or “a ladder”, which further supports its usage in the Middle Ages when ladders were used as part of fortification defenses.
The surname Scale was likely first found in countries such as England, Scotland, France, and Italy and began to spread in the 1600s when people began to migrate to other parts of Europe.
Today, individuals with the surname Scale are mainly found in areas of Europe, including Italy, Spain, and France, but it is also widespread throughout the United States.
The Scale surname has been adopted by several notable citizens, including playwright Edward Scale and tax collector William Scale, both of which lived in Scotland in the late 15th century. On the US side of the Scale family tree, Colonel Peter Scale was a major player in the American Revolutionary War battle of Bunker Hill, and US Navy Admiral Kenneth Dale Scale fought in World War II and the Korean War.
It can be assumed that the last name Scale is ancient, but the history and purpose behind it remains a mystery. It has clearly been adopted by a number of noteworthy citizens throughout history and continues to be a valuable part of the fabric of family history and identity today.
Order DNA origin analysisScale: Where does the name Scale come from?
The last name Scale is of French origin and is mainly found in Brittany, Occitanie, Nord-Pas-de-Calais,Rhône-Alpes, and Isles-de-la-Madeleine, three regions located in metropolitan France. It is also fairly prominent in the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The name Scale is also found in small numbers in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and many other countries outside of France. However, the highest concentrations of the name outside of the country are throughout French-speaking countries in North and West Africa, where there are a few scattered small villages and towns bearing the name Scale.
Today, Scale is still a relatively uncommon last name, but most of its bearers are descended from the French settlers who emigrated during the 1700s and 1800s. The variations of Scale in other countries correspond to the different colonizing countries of the French settlers in the country. It is also possible that some variations of the name in different countries can be attributed to works of immigration caused by the world wars.
Variations of the surname Scale
The surname Scale is a habitational name, which means that it is derived from a place name. It is derived from the Old English scala meaning "building", "hut", or "hall". The variants of the surname Scale include Scall, Scal, Skala, Skeal, Schale, Schall, and Eckels.
Scall is an English variant and it is also found in Scotland. This spelling of the surname Scale is possibly derived from an Old Norse word skalli meaning "bald-headed" or "shaved".
Scal is an alternate spelling of the surname Scale and it is also found in some parts of England and Scotland. It may have been derived from a Welsh diminutive of an Old English word skali meaning "hut".
Skala is a Polish variant spelling of the surname Scale. It was given for individuals from the village of Skala in the Lodzkie region in central Poland. It is derived from the word skala meaning"ladder" or "staircase".
Skeal is a Scottish variant of the surname Scale. It is derived from an Old Norse name Skali or Skalli which was likely derived from the word skalli meaning "bald-headed" or "shaved".
Schale is a German variant of the surname Scale. It is derived from the Old High German scala meaning "robe" or "coat".
Schall is an alternate Germanic variant of the surname Scale. It also has the same origin as Schale, meaning "robe" or "coat".
Eckels is a Dutch variant of the surname Scale. It is derived from the Old Dutch word scala meaning "ladder" or "staircase".
Famous people with the name Scale
- Alfreda S.L. Scale, human rights activist
- Elma Scale, Jamaican politician
- Tricia Scale, British journalist
- Barry Scale, Canadian/American artist
- Dean Scale, British actor
- Steffen Scale, German biochemist
- George Parsons Scale, British physicist
- Winston Scale, English multi-instrumentalist
- Kim Scale, British sculptor
- Laura Scale, American architect
- Edwin Scale, American lawyer
- John Kaestner Scale, American poet
- Charlotte Jean Scale, Canadian visual artist
- Richard Scale, British historian
- Nicola Scale, American singer
- Charles Scale, American physicist
- Ava Scale, Canadian actor
- George Scale, American painter
- Edwin Scale Jr., American lawyer
- Dorothea Scale, British photographer