Show ContentsCoole History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Coole

What does the name Coole mean?

The forbears of the name Coole are thought to be of the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The name indicates that the first bearer lived in Cullen in the Hebrides.

Early Origins of the Coole family

The surname Coole was first found in Cullen, a burgh, seaport, and parish, in the county of Banff. "This place, the origin of the name of which is altogether uncertain, was originally called Inverculan, being bounded on the north and west by the water of Cullen, which falls into the sea on the western side of the parish; and in ancient times it formed part of the parish of Fordyce. Its early history is for the most part involved in obscurity; but there appears to be no reason to doubt the truth of the tradition, that a severe conflict took place here between the Danes and the Scots under Indulfus, in the year 960. The king was killed by an arrow at the head of his troops; but the enemy were completely routed." 1

Cull or Coll are literally derived from the Celtic "dweller at a wood [Gaelic and Irish coill]." 2

Early History of the Coole family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coole research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1435 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Coole History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coole Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Coole has been spelled Cull, Coll, Coole, Cula, Codolf and others.

Early Notables of the Coole family

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

Migration of the Coole family to Ireland

Some of the Coole family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Coole 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:

Coole Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Coole, aged 26, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 3
  • Louisa Coole, aged 21, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Coole (post 1700) +

  • Lisa Ann Coole (1975-1998), American gold, silver and bronze medalist swimmer killed in an automobile accident on May 16, 1998, NCAA Woman of the Year Award for 1997
  • Diana Hilary Coole (b. 1952), British Professor of Political and Social Theory in the School of Politics and Sociology, Birkbeck, University of London

USS Arizona
  • Mr. Lloyd E. Coole, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 4


The Coole 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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