Surname Echols - Meaning and Origin
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read moreEchols: What does the surname Echols mean?
The surname Echols is of English origin and is believed to have geographical roots. It is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "ecol", referring to a person living near a notable oak tree or in an oak-covered area. It may also relate to a place in Cheshire, England, named Echol, meaning an oak hill or high ground overgrown with oak trees. Therefore, the surname Echols could imply that the family lineage traces back to people living in such areas. Like many other surnames, Echols was also possibly used to identify individuals based on their locality or by the geographical features of where they lived. Over time, variations in the spelling such as eachell, Echol, Eckels, Eckles, Eckel, Eccle, Eccles, etc. have developed.
Order DNA origin analysisEchols: Where does the name Echols come from?
The last name Echols is of English origin. Specifically, it is believed to have originated from Yorkshire in Northern England, from a place called Eccles. This name is derived from the Old English pre-7th century word "eccles," meaning "churches." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the surname Echols may have lived near or worked in a church.
The spelling variations of Echols include Eccles, Eckles, Ecles, Eckels, Echols, and others. Families bearing the Echols or its variants established themselves in various regions of Britain, but later many migrated to other English-speaking countries.
Today, the surname Echols is most common in the United States, especially in Southern regions like Georgia, Virginia, and Texas. It may also be found in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, albeit in smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Echols
The surname Echols is of English origin, and is a variant of the name Eccles, which derives from the Old English "eccles" or the Old Norse "eklais", both meaning "church". The name suggests that the original bearers of the surname lived near a church.
Variants of the surname Echols include Echols, Eckles, Eckels, Echells, Eckells, Echles, Echel, Ekle, Eckle, and Eackles. Another variant is Echelis, although this appears to be less common. Some families may have dropped the 's' at the end of the name over time, resulting in surnames such as Echol or Eckel.
Echols may also be found as a given name in some instances. There is also a possibility that in some cases, the surname could be a Anglicized form of similar sounding surnames from other languages, although these would not be of the same origin. As with all surnames, the exact spelling can vary widely among different families and in different regions, due to factors such as regional accents and literacy levels at the time when surnames became hereditary.
Famous people with the name Echols
- Damien Echols: He is an author and artist, known for being part of the "West Memphis Three", a group of teenagers convicted for the murders of three boys. He was released in 2011 after submitting an Alford plea.
- Jason Echols: A former American football cornerback who played for the NFL's Chicago Bears.
- Jerad Echols: An American actor known for his roles in films like "Proud" (2004) and "Lila and Eve" (2015).
- Mike Echols: Another former American football player who played for the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
- Brandon Echols: A professional football player who is currently involved with the New York Jets in the NFL.
- Renard Echols: Well-remembered for his acting role in the movie “The Express” (2008).
- Roman Echols: A professional boxer in the Lightweight division.
- William Henry Echols: A civil engineer and an academic, serving as a faculty at the University of Virginia in the late 1800s to early 1900s.
- Lucius Echols: A former Major League Baseball player, playing for the Detroit Tigers in 1945.