Doyle
An Irish surname often explained as either Anglo-Norman in origin or from the Irish Gaelic name O’Dubhghaill, meaning “descendant of the dark stranger.”
The #441 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 4,147 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Doyle has two long-running explanations in the older literature. Many writers connect it with the Irish Gaelic O’Dubhghaill, usually understood as “descendant of Dubhghall,” from dubh “dark” and gall “stranger” or “foreigner.” Others, especially in older English surname studies, traced it to an Anglo-Norman form such as D’Oyley or de Ouilly, from a Norman place-name. Modern usage strongly associates Doyle with Ireland, but the name’s early history may include more than one source.
History
Lower treated Doyle as one of the common Irish surnames and thought it came from the Norman Doyley form, while also noting the competing Irish explanation. Bardsley likewise points to local English forms such as Doyl, Doyley, and Doyle, showing the name in England by the Middle Ages. In Ireland, Doyle became especially common and is now among the best-known Irish surnames.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Lower specifically remarks that Doyle was already one of the commonest Irish surnames in his day.
From the historical record
“be insula anatuvi, the island of ducks. DOYLE. One of the commonest of Irish surnames, and presumed to be of Anglo-Norman origin. See D'Oyley. It is found as Doyl and Doil in England, temp. Edward I. H.R. D'OYLEY. Robert de Ollgi was a te- naut-in-chief in many counties, and AVido de O. in co. Oxford. Domesd. The…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom