Cole History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Cole

What does the name Cole mean?

The Cole history begins in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. Quite distinct from Devon, the adjoining county, Cornwall had its own spoken language until the late 18th century. The Cole history began here. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames were derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. The Cole family originally lived in south west England. Their name, however, is derived from the Old English word coll, which means hill, and indicates that the original bearer lived near such a land form.

Cole is a hamlet in the parish of Pitcomb, union of Wincanton, hundred of Bruton, in Somerset and is a tything, in the parish, union, and hundred of Malmesbury, Malmesbury and Kingswood, in Wiltshire. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been "derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Nicholas,' from nickname Cole. " 2

The name is also a "very ancient Teutonic personal name. In Domesday Book, it appears as a baptismal and later in the [Hundredorum Rolls] as a family name. " 3

"The distribution in the Domesday Book of 1086 suggests that it is more often from the Old English Cola, an original byname from Old English col 'coal' in the sense 'coal-black, swarthy' " 4

Interestingly "Koyl, Coyll, Coil, or Coel was an ancient name, borne by two kings of Britain, the first of whom reigned A.D. 125." 5 These may actually refer to Old King Cole. It is generally thought that this nursery rhyme was probably based on a real person; however there are various theories as to his origin.

Early Origins of the Cole family

The surname Cole was first found in south west England. "Essentially south of England names, especially in the south - west, rarely occurring north of a line drawn west from the Wash. Cole is best distributed and has its principal homes in Devon and Wiltshire. Coles is most numerous in Somerset. " 6

The first record of the name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 which listed Cola and Cole. 7 From this earliest record we look to Kent to find Cola filius Lanterii there c. 1145 and a few years later, we find Robertus filius Cole listed in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1206. Geoffrey, Richard Cole were both listed in 1148 in Winton, Hampshire and a few years later as Knights Templar in 1185. 4

Moving further north, in Yorkshire the Latin source "Cartularium Abbatiale de Whiteby, Ordinis S. Benedicti" noted Rand' filius Cole temp. 13th century. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Cole and Elias Cole as holding lands there at that time. 2

Early History of the Cole family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cole research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1580, 1590, 1616, 1622, 1627, 1633, 1634, 1656, 1659, 1660, 1663, 1680, 1681, 1697, 1713 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Cole History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cole Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Cole, Coles, Coal, Coale, Coalas and others.

Early Notables of the Cole family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Henry Cole (1500?-1580), Dean of St. Paul's, a native of Godshill in the Isle of Wight
Richard Cole, Sheriff of Newcastle
Thomas Cole (1622-1681), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Hampshire (1656), High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1663
Thomas Cole (1627?-1697), an English independent minister
William Coles (1616-1697), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Downton in 1659 and 1660
Eunice Cole (c. 1590-1680), English woman from the coast of New Hampshire, better known as "Goody Cole", she is the only woman convicted of witchcraft in New Hampshire

Cole World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cole is the 108^th most popular surname with an estimated 198,960 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Cole is ranked the 268^th most popular surname with an estimated 15,635 people with that name. 9 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cole is the 97^th popular surname with an estimated 326 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Cole as 164^th with 18,763 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Cole as 168^th with 3,140 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Cole as 128^th with 39,146 people. 13

Migration of the Cole family to Ireland

Some of the Cole family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cole migration to the United States +

Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Cole:

Cole Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Cole, aged 27, who landed in Virginia in 1616 aboard the ship "Susan" 14
Mrs. William Cole, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 aboard the ship "Neptune" 14
William Cole, who landed in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Margaret of Bristol" 14
Jon Cole, who landed in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Margaret of Bristol" 14
George Cole, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Sara Cole, who landed in Virginia in 1704 14
Jeremiah Cole, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
Geo Cole, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 14
Hance Jareck Cole, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 14
Diana Cole, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Cole, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 14
William Cole, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
Patrick Cole, who landed in New York in 1812 14
Charles Cole, who landed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1833 14
Ellen Cole, aged 25, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1835 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Arthur Cole, (b. 1877), aged 27, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th February 1904 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. Ernest Cole, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Michigan, USA 15
Mrs. Kate Cole, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 15

Cole migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cole Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Cole, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Cole, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Cole, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Isaac Cole, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
Wigel Cole, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Levi Cole, who landed in Canada in 1828
Elisha Cole, who arrived in Canada in 1831
James Cole, who landed in Canada in 1833
Catharine Cole, aged 35, a widow, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
James Cole, aged 12, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

V W Cole, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Cole migration to Australia +

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

Cole Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Elizabeth Cole, (b. 1758), aged 29, English convict who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1821, listed as transferred to the Friendship at Rio de Janeiro then transferred again 16
Miss Mary Cole, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17

Cole Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Cole, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 18
John Cole, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
Miss Frances Cole, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Miss Honora Cole, (Hannah), (b. 1789), aged 24, Irish convict who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. Thomas Cole, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole 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:

Cole Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Cole, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide 23
John Cole, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Cole, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Thomas Cole, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
George Cole, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide 23
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cole migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 24

Cole Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Cole, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Cole (post 1700) +

Nat King Cole (1917-1965), stage name of Nathaniel Adams Coles, American jazz singer widely considered one of the most important musical personalities in United States history
Anna Virginia Russell Cole (1846-1926), American philanthropist known for her significant involvement in the development of Vanderbilt University
Alexander "Alex" Cole Jr. (1965-2023), American Major League Baseball outfielder from Fayetteville, North Carolina, who played from 1990 to 1996
James "Jimmy" Cole (1931-1932), American football player and official in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the National Football League (NFL)
Joanna Cole (1944-2020), American author The Magic School Bus series, which sold more than 93 million copies in 13 countries
Lionel Frederick "Freddy" Cole (1931-2020), American jazz singer and pianist, brother of Nat King Cole
Richie Cole (1948-2020), American jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger
Charlie Cole (1955-2019), American photojournalist, World Press Photo of the Year winner 1989
Richard E. Cole (1915-2019), American air force officer, last surviving member of the Doolittle Raid, co-pilot to Jimmy Doolittle
Bruce Cole (1938-2018), American humanist, Chairman of the NEH (2001â€“2009), Presidential Citizens Medal recipient (2008)
... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cole family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. John Wright Cole (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Westmere, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 26

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Annie Cole (1872-1914), née Armitage Canadian Second Class Passenger from Princeton, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27

Grover Shoe factory

Mr. James R. Cole, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 28

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Alfred M. Cole (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 29

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. John Alan Cole (1905-1941), Australian Lieutenant from Double Bay, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 30
Mr. John Vincent Cole (1922-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Dulwich Hill, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 30
Mr. Sydney Arthur William Cole (1916-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Taringa, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 30

HMS Hood

Mr. William G Cole (b. 1917), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 31
Mr. John H Cole (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Salford, Lancashire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 31
Mr. George D Cole (b. 1919), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Thistleton, Rutland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 31
Mr. Albert E Cole (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 31

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Richard Cole, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 32
Mr. James Cole, British Lead Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 32
Mr. Daniel Charles Rex Cole, British Signalman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 32
Mr. Charles Cole, British Cook S, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 32

HMS Royal Oak

Stanley Cole, British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 33

Mount Mulligan Mine

William Charles Cole, Russian-born, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

RMS Lusitania

Mr. William Henry Cole, English Second Intermediate 3rd Engineer from Cirencester, Glouchester, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 34

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Charles Cole (1890-1914), Newfoundlander from Elliston, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

SS Southern Cross

Mr. John Cole (1887-1914), Newfoundlander from Colliers who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. Edward Cole (1883-1914), Newfoundlander from Colliers who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

USS Arizona

Mr. Charles Warren Cole, American Sergeant from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 35
Mr. David Lester Cole, American Ensign from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 35

USS Indianapolis

Walter Henry Cole (1918-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 36

Victoria steamboat disaster

A. Cole, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Cole 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: Deum Cole regem serva
Motto Translation: Worship God, obey the King.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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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)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
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