Meaning and origin
The last name Charles is derived from the given name Charles, which originates from the Germanic name Karl. Introduced to Britain by the Normans in the form of Charles, it became widely used during the medieval period.
The longer story
The last name Charles is derived from the given name Charles, which itself has ancient roots. The name Charles can be traced back to the Germanic name Karl, derived from the word *karlaz*, meaning "man" or "freeman." The name Karl was commonly used among the Germanic tribes and was later introduced to other European languages through the influence of the Frankish Empire.
In England, the name Charles gained popularity after the Norman Conquest in 1066, when it was introduced by the Normans. The Norman form of Charles was *Carl* or *Carlus*, but it eventually evolved into the English form.
In terms of etymology and meaning, the name Charles carries connotations of strength, power, and nobility.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#548
Charles was the 548th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 61,211 people, about 21 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Charles
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Charles is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.