The Paul Family History

What Does the Paul Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname in question has origins across England, the Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, and France, serving as a variation of the name Pauls and derived from the Latin term ‘Paulus’. It is widely recognized as a common given name as well. The meaning attributed to this name is small. Variants of Paul include Pauls, Paulls, Paull, and Paule. In England, the surname is particularly prevalent in the City of London and throughout the western peninsula. In Scotland, the highest concentrations of the Paul surname can be found in Lanarkshire, Gloucestershire, Midlothian, Renfrewshire, and Aberdeenshire. In the United States, notable populations of the Paul surname are present in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, California, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. Prominent individuals associated with this surname include actress Alexandra Paul, author Gregory S. Paul, suffragist Alice Paul, renowned German physicist Wolfgang Paul, 19th-century English artist John Dean Paul, and Carrick Stewart Paul, a distinguished fighter pilot from New Zealand during World War One.