Meaning: Its source is eorl, an Old English name meaning "Nobleman."

Popularity: The name Earle ranked 853rd in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: This was once a nickname given to those with a lordly manner. It was also used as a surname for people employed by the aristocracy.