Doyle surname: meaning and origin
Doyle means dark foreigner (dubh, dark, and gall, foreigner). It is a name from the Norse-Gaelic world of the Viking age from Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow.
| Irish form | Ó Dubhghaill |
|---|---|
| Meaning | dark foreigner (dubh, dark, and gall, foreigner) |
| Home region | Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow (Leinster) |
| Origin | Norse-Gaelic |
| Variants | McDowell, O'Doyle |
History of the Doyle name
The name began as a nickname for a dark-haired Scandinavian, so it records the Norse settlement of the east coast of Ireland.
More surnames from Leinster
- BrennanÓ Braonáin · descendant of Braonán
- ByrneÓ Broin · descendant of Bran
- O'CarrollÓ Cearbhaill · descendant of Cearbhall
- CullenÓ Cuilinn · descendant of Cuilean
- DunneÓ Duinn · descendant of Donn
- O'FarrellÓ Fearghail · descendant of Fearghal
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Doyle mean?
Doyle (Irish: Ó Dubhghaill) means dark foreigner (dubh, dark, and gall, foreigner).
What is the Irish spelling of Doyle?
The Irish-language form of Doyle is Ó Dubhghaill.
Where is the surname Doyle from?
Doyle is a name from the Norse-Gaelic world of the Viking age, associated with Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow in Leinster.
What are other spellings of Doyle?
Related spellings and forms include McDowell, O'Doyle.