Show ContentsPaul History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Paul family

The surname Paul was first found in Picardy (French: Picardie), where this illustrious family held a family seat since ancient times.

One of the first records of the family was John de St. Paul (ca.1295-1362), Archbishop of Dublin, probably a native of Owston in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "He may have been a son of Thomas and brother of Robert de St. Paul, lord of Byram in the same Riding, on whose behalf he obtained from Edward II the remission of fines imposed on Robert for his adherence to Thomas of Lancaster. He was possibly connected with Mary de St. Paul or St. Pol, daughter of the Count de St. Pol, who married Aymer de Valence, earl of Pembroke, and frequently made John de St. Paul her attorney during her absence from England. The family probably came originally from Guienne, and it had many descendants settled in Yorkshire. " 1

Early History of the Paul family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Paul research. Another 205 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1068, 1150, 1184, 1290, 1577, 1598 and 1667 are included under the topic Early Paul History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paul Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Saint-Pol, Saint-Paul, Saint-Pohl, Saint-Pole, Saint-Poul, Saint-Poule, Paul, Pol, Pohl and many more.

Early Notables of the Paul family

More information is included under the topic Early Paul Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paul World Ranking

In the United States, the name Paul is the 408th most popular surname with an estimated 67,149 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Paul is ranked the 227th most popular surname with an estimated 17,695 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Paul is the 462nd popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Paul as 352nd with 132 people. 5 France ranks Paul as 140th with 21,860 people. 6 Australia ranks Paul as 371st with 9,901 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Paul as 175th with 3,077 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Paul as 538th with 12,088 people. 9 South Africa ranks Paul as 895th with 7,780 people. 10


United States Paul migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Paul Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Daniel Paul, who settled in Boston in 1630
  • William Paul, who landed in Massachusetts in 1635 11
  • Mr. Wm Paul, aged 20, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 12
  • Francis Paul, who landed in Virginia in 1637 11
  • Pat Paul, who landed in Virginia in 1648 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Paul Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Daniell Paul, who landed in New York in 1709 11
  • Henry Paul settled with his wife and seven children in Virginia in 1709
  • John Paul, who settled in Virginia with his wife and five children in 1709
  • Henrig Paul, who arrived in New York in 1709 11
  • Jeanne Paul, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Paul Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Paul, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • Samuel Paul, aged 29, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1805 11
  • Ann Paul, who landed in America in 1805 11
  • Alexander Paul, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1812 11
  • Dunbar Paul, aged 21, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Paul Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Elizabeth Paul, aged 17, who arrived in New York, NY in 1902 11
  • Louis Paul, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 11

Canada Paul migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Paul Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Julien Paul, who arrived in Canada in 1714
  • Timothy Paul, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Mr. Caleb Paul U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 13
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Paul U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 13
  • Mrs. Margaret Paul U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Paul Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Paul, aged 21, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Ms. Agnes Paul, aged 28 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Sobraon" departing from the port of Sobraon, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle on 12th July 1847 14
  • Friedrich Paul, who arrived in Quebec in 1850
  • Miss Ellen Paul, (b. 1834), aged 21, Cornish servant departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 15

Australia Paul migration to Australia +

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

Paul Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Paul, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. Henry Paul (b. 1792), aged 25, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 27th March 1817, sentenced for life for breaking and entering and stealing money from Thomas Rogers, transported aboard the ship "Ocean" in August 1817 to Australia 17
  • Mr. William Paul, (b. 1802), aged 26, English soldier who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. James Paul, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. John Paul, (b. 1799), aged 36, English farm labourer who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 14 years for poaching, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1874 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Paul 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:

Paul Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Eliza Paul, aged 19, a sempstress, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
  • Hugh Paul, aged 17, a farm servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
  • Arthur Paul, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ann Wilson" in 1857
  • Mr. John Paul, Canadian settler travelling from Prince Edward Island aboard the ship "Prince Edward" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 13th May 1859 21
  • John Paul, aged 21, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Paul (post 1700) +

  • Alexandra Paul (b. 1963), American actress, known for Baywatch (1989), Christine (1983) and Dragnet (1987).
  • Philip Paul (1925-2022), American studio drummer from Cincinnati, Ohio, he and his wife, Juanita were honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009
  • Arthur "Art" Paul (1925-2018), American graphic designer and founding art director of Playboy magazine, best known for his Playboy rabbit logo
  • Billy Paul (1934-2016), born Paul Williams, American Grammy Award-winning singer, probably best known for his 1972 hit "Me and Mrs. Jones"
  • William Erwin Paul (1936-2015), American immunologist, known for his work on AIDS at the National Institutes of Health
  • Randal Howard "Rand" Paul (b. 1963), American physician and politician, United States Senator from Kentucky (2011-), candidate for the 2016 U.S. presidential election
  • Major-General Willard Stewart Paul (1894-1966), American Director of Personnel & Administration Division, Department of the Army (1947-1948) 23
  • Les Paul (1915-2009), born Lester William Polsfuss, American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor
  • Alice Paul (1885-1977), American feminist and suffragist
  • Gregory S. Paul (b. 1954), American paleontologist, author and illustrator
  • ... (Another 86 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Martin Paul (1918-1941), German Steuermannsmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • Helmut Paul (1921-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Albert  Paul (1861-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
  • Mrs. Mary Katherine  Paul (1882-1917), Canadian resident from Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
  • Baby Paul, Canadian resident from Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Stanley Robert Paul (1919-1941), Australian Stoker from Mackay, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 26
HMS Dorsetshire
  • William George Paul (d. 1945), British Petty Officer Sick Berth aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
  • Eric Dudley Paul (d. 1945), British Lieutenant (S) aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Charles William Paul, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 28
HMS Royal Oak
  • Leslie William Charles Paul (1920-1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 29


Suggested Readings for the name Paul +

  • Your Desert and Mine by Nina Paul Shumway.
  • Philip Paul of Stocklinch, Somerset, England and some of his Descendants in Old Gloucester County, New Jersey and Elsewhere by Gordon W. Paul.

  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  4. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  17. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Willard Paul. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Paul/Willard_Stewart/USA.html
  24. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  25. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  26. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  27. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  28. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  29. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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