Surname Soules - Meaning and Origin

Soules: What does the surname Soules mean?

The surname Soules is of French origin, deriving from the old French term "soulas" which means comfort or solace, and was initially used as a nickname for a cheerful or pleasant individual. Over time, it became a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Like many surnames of this era, it was often given based on an individual's occupation, characteristics, or place of residence, with Soules likely given to those known for their cheerful demeanor. As with many surnames, spelling variations exist due to changes in language and transcription over the centuries with Solas, Soulis, Soulice, and Soullas being some examples. It should be noted that, due to regional variations and dialects in France, the meaning and origins of the surname may vary across different regions. Locations named Soule or Soules also exist, and the surname may reflect ancestral ties to such places.

Soules: Where does the name Soules come from?

The last name Soules is most commonly found in France and the United Kingdom today. In France, most of the recorded Souldes families come from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of the country, as well as the Charente department in the east. They are also spread throughout various departments in the south and west of the country. In the United Kingdom, Soules are up and down the country but mostly in the south and east. In particular, most of the occurrences of the name are in the counties of Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, and Surrey.

In the United States, the surname Soules is most common in the states of Minnesota, Tennessee, and Illinois. It is worth noting, however, that the name is recorded in all fifty states, even if it is much less common in some. The states with the highest number of occurrences include Georgia, Delaware, California, North Carolina, and Virginia. In Canada, the name is much less common than it is in the U.S., but is still found in most provinces across the country, with the most concentrated number of families in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.

Overall, the last name Soules is still quite popular in the areas around its origin, with clusters of families across Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America.

Variations of the surname Soules

The surname Soules is believed to have originated from the north of England, from the county of Lancashire, and now exists in various spellings and forms with many different variations.

The original spelling for the surname Soules is Soulis, from an anglicisation of Souleau or Soullier, which derives from an Old Scottish word meaning an inhabitant from the town of Solway.

Other related spellings of the same origin include Sowles, Soules, Soule, Soulese, Souless, Souleau, Sole, Sowle, Solas, Soles, Soullier and Sowell. It is also common to find people with the surname Soules in Scotland as well as England.

Over time, the surnamehas been mis-spelled as Sowles, Sewell, Shooles and Sears — although these are not related to the origin of the surname Soules.

Surnames from the same origin are also seen in Australia, where there are individuals with the surname Solas, Soules, and Sowles.

Variants of the surname Soules can also be found in the United States, with individuals named Soles, Sowell, Soules or Soulis, along with several other spellings derived from the root of the surname.

Finally, in Ireland and Canada, the surname Solas or Soules is found in various forms, including Sole, Soles, Soullier and Soulese.

The spelling, spelling variants and surnames of the same origin as the surname Soules, therefore, offer a diverse range of spellings and forms.

Famous people with the name Soules

• Chris Soules: an American reality television personality, best known for his role on The Bachelorette and then The Bachelor.
• Jonathan Soules: an American actor, best known for his roles in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Teen Wolf, and Jane the Virgin.
• Jay Soules: an American stage director and actor, best known for producing the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof.
• John Soules: an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder and CEO of the John Soules Foods company.
• George Soules: an American mathematician and professor, best known for developing the concept of derivatives.
• Robert Soules: an American politician, best known for his role in the Texas House of Representatives.
• Monroe Soules: a professional American football player, best known for his two years with the Memphis Showboats.
• Aileen Soules: an American classical flutist and professor, best known for her role as the principal flutist of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.
• Sarah Soules: an American artist and futurist, best known for her nomadic multimedia project, Wanders.
• Maxwell Soules: an American architect, best known for his impressive designs throughout the state of California.

Other surnames

Soule