Cole — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #126 in the US 195,289 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#126
▼ Down 10 since 2000
People in the US
195,289
66.2 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Cole Surname

What does the last name Cole mean?

The surname Cole carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 195,289 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cole ranks as the #126 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cole come from?

The Cole surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cole name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cole trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Cole
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #126
US Count (2010) 195,289
Per 100K People 66.2
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cole

According to the US Census, the Cole surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 195,289 Americans with the Cole last name.

White 75.33%
Black 18.89%
Hispanic 2.41%
Asian/PI 0.55%
Native American 0.72%
Two+ Races 2.1%
Ethnic distribution of the Cole surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White75.33%
Black18.89%
Hispanic2.41%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.55%
Native American0.72%
Two or More Races2.1%

Popularity of Cole Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cole surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#116
187,793 people
Down 10
Census 2010
#126
195,289 people

The number of Americans with the Cole surname increased by 7,496 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cole Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cole ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Cole

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cole.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Cole.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cole

The surname Cole is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Cole is ranked #126 in the United States with approximately 195,289 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Cole surname is distributed as: 75.3% White, 18.9% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cole ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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