Paul Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Paul last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Paul last name
Meaning of the Paul last name: from Paulus, "small". Paul comes from the Latin personal name Paulus, "small", made famous by the Apostle Paul. As a German surname it developed from the given name in the late Middle Ages and is spread over the whole country, with the patronymic Pauls and Paulsen in the north and Pauli in the south. The same name arose independently in France and England, but the German strand is the most numerous today, especially in Saxony and Thuringia. In Scotland, the surname Paul is found in the Lowlands, and in England it is especially common in Cornwall and the south-west. The French Paul is also a surname, found throughout France. In Germany, the cult of Saint Paul gave rise to many related surnames, including Paulus and Pauly. The name was carried to the United States by emigrants from Germany, Britain and Ireland, and it is now widespread there.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Paul name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Paul name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, France and England; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Paul pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Paul coat of arms.
Paul name FAQ
What does the Paul name mean?
From Paulus, "small". Common variants include Pauli, Pauls, Paulsen.
Where does the Paul surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in the United States, France and England.
Is there a Paul coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Paul crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Paul coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).