Earle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The name Earle belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the parish of Earley, in the diocese of Oxford.

Early Origins of the Earle family

The surname Earle was first found in the County of Somerset. The surname originates from a Saxon word "eorl" or "jarl" which described the elder or wise man of the village. In time the name came to mean the leader or ruler and finally, during mediaeval times it was used to signify a nobleman of the highest rank.

Later, a branch of the family was found at Axmouth in Devon. "The manor [of Axmouth] formerly belonged to the abbey of Sion, in Middlesex, and was given at the Dissolution by Henry VIII. to his queen Catharine Parr, as part of her dower; it reverted at her death to the crown, and was granted by Edward VI., in 1552, to Walter Erle." 1

"For some two centuries it has been the property of the Hallets. Stedcombe House, a seat of the Erles, was garrisoned by Sir Walter for the Parliament, but taken and burned in March, 1644, by a party of Prince Maurice's troops. The Erles then resided at Bindon, now a farmhouse, but retaining many traces of its ancient state, particularly its domestic chapel. Sir Walter Erie had been imprisoned for refusing to lend money to the King, and in revenge seized Lyme for the Parliament in 1642." 2

"The manor of Penheale, [in the parish or Egloskerry, Cornwall] extends over the whole parish, can be satisfactorily traced up to the time of Doomsday Survey. At that time it was held under Robert Earl of Moreton by Ricardus, whose son William Fitz Richard, left a daughter and sole heiress, who was married to Reginald Earl of Cornwall, natural son of Henry I." 3

"It appears from Dugdale's Monasticon, that the church of Egloshayle [in Cornwall] was given by William Earl of Gloucester to the priory of St. James in Bristol, which gift was confirmed by Edward II." 3

Early History of the Earle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Earle research. Another 325 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1120, 1160, 1416, 1471, 1586, 1590, 1601, 1614, 1615, 1616, 1648, 1650, 1653, 1662, 1665, 1667, 1678, 1720, 1758, 1812 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Earle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Earle Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Earle include Earl, Earle, Earll, Earlls, Erle, Irle, Urles, Urle, Erl, Earls, Earles, Earlie, Earlee, Erlegh, Erligh, Erleigh, Earleigh and many more.

Early Notables of the Earle family

Distinguished members of the family include

Earle Ranking

In the United States, the name Earle is the 3,546th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Earle is ranked the 87th most popular surname with an estimated 343 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Earle family to Ireland

Some of the Earle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Earle migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Earle were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Earle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Earle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Earle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Earle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Earle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Earle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Earle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Earle migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Earle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Earle (post 1700) +


The Earle Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ne Tentes Aut Perfice
Motto Translation: Attempt not or accomplish.


Suggested Readings for the name Earle +
Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate