Surname Surls - Meaning and Origin

Surls: What does the surname Surls mean?

The last name Surls is of Scottish origin and is derived from the surname Surie, which is a variant of the Scottish surname MacSorlie. The MacSorlie surname is an anglicization of the old Gaelic MacSorly which meant “descendant of the Red Spearman.” This is likely in tribute to a warrior within the family line who had red hair or used a red spear in battle. It was often a term used for a powerful warrior who distinguished themselves in battle. The prefix “Mac” indicates they belonged to a larger clan or family, which was an important part of life in the Middle Ages.

The name Surls likely was brought to Scotland during the Norman invasion of 1066 and can also be found in places in England like Chesire and the East Midlands, where it is known to have been in use as early as 1273.

Throughout the centuries, the name has gone through many different variations and spellings. Such variations over time can include Surles, Surl, Sorleys, Sorlie, Surles and Sorell. All of these variations stem from the original surname of MacSorlie.

Given its Scottish origin, those with the Surls surname can trace their lineage back to the Middle Ages when Highland clans were a large part of life in Scotland. For many people, it is an excellent way to explore their heritage and discover more about their roots.

Surls: Where does the name Surls come from?

The last name Surls is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the South. This name can be found in several states including Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Additionally, this surname is seen in some areas of the Midwest, usually in states surrounding the Mississippi River.

Surls is a very common surname in the US, with the majority of individuals bearing the name being descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants. It is primarily an Americanized spelling of the surname MacCurly. This name is derived from the Gaelic MacGrioghair, meaning "son of the son of the follower of Gria". In some cases, the last name could even be derived from a Norse name, Alfarrvaga, which also references someone who was a follower of Gria or a great leader.

The name can also be of English origin, from a similar variant of the name Surralles, with the original bearer of the name being someone of the same occupation. This could mean that they were a merchant or could have been associated in some way to the wool trade. Regardless of the original origin of the surname, the last name Surls is still very prevalent in the United States today.

Variations of the surname Surls

The surname Surls has various spelling variants, surnames of the same origin, and alternate spellings. The most common variant of this surname is Surl, and other spellings include Surlls, Surles, Surrls, Sorls, and Srials. The spelling variants of this surname make it quite difficult to determine its origins.

The most obvious origin of the surname Surls is likely English, as it is a fairly common English surname. It is possible, however, that the name could have evolved from another language. Other origins which could explain the variant spellings of the name include French, German, or even Welsh.

Other surnames derived from the same root as Surls are Sirles, Srles, Serle, Sirls, or Kurls. As the spelling of this surname was established in England before 1700, it is possible that other surnames of the same origin have developed since then.

The spelling variants of Surls could also have occurred due to any of a number of standard variations in dialect and pronunciation. For example, in some areas, a vowel sound may have been dropped; or in some areas, the “i” sound in the middle of the word may have been replaced by an “r” sound.

Given its multiple spellings and its likely English origin, the surname Surls is a popular and fairly common surname both in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a surname with fascinating variants, both in spelling and in the surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Surls

• Mariah Surls, American figure skater
• Michael Surls, American baseball player
• Joseph Surls, American conductor and composer
• Leslie Surls, English actress and performer
• Tom Surls, American basketball player
• Craig Surls, British Olympic bobsledder
• Ray Surls, American football player
• Jordan Surls, American vocalist
• Robert Surls, American photographer
• Doug Surls, American finance executive.

Other surnames

SurlSurlandSurles