Doyle is a surname of Irish origin. The name is a

back-formation Back-formation is the process or result of creating a neologism, new word via Morphology (linguistics), morphology, typically by removing or substituting actual or supposed affixes from a lexical item, in a way that expands the number of lexemes ...

from O'Doyle, which is an

Anglicisation Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

of the Irish (), meaning "descendant of ''Dubhghall''". There is another possible etymology: the Anglo-Norman surname ''D'Oyley'' with agglutination of the French article ''de'' (cf.

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...

). It means 'from Ouilly', the name of a knight who originated from one of the places named Ouilly in Normandy, such as Ouilly-le-Tesson (Calvados, ''Oylley'' 1050), Ouilly-le-Vicomte (Calvados, ''de Oilleio'' 1279), etc. The relationship with the family D'Oyly is unknown. The

personal name A personal name, full name or prosoponym (from Ancient Greek ''prósōpon'' – person, and ''onoma'' –name) is the set of names by which an individual person or animal is known. When taken together as a word-group, they all relate to that on ...

''Dubhghall'' contains the elements ''dubh'' "black" + ''gall'' "stranger". Similar

Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...

and Irish surnames, derived from the same personal name are: '' MacDougall'' / '' McDougall'' and '' MacDowell'' / '' McDowell''. During the

Viking Age The Viking Age (about ) was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonising, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. The Viking Age applies not only to their ...

the term '' Dubhghoill'' was used to describe the Vikings—usually Danes—and the term ''Fionnghoill'' ("fair foreigners") was used to describe Norwegians. There is uncertainty as to the exact meaning of these terms. If they do not refer to literal colours of hair, complexion, or apparel, the terms could denote "new" and "old" Vikings. If correct, the terms may distinguish different groups or dynasties, or perhaps represent

ethnonym An ethnonym () is a name applied to a given ethnic group. Ethnonyms can be divided into two categories: exonyms (whose name of the ethnic group has been created by another group of people) and autonyms, or endonyms (whose name is created and used ...

s referring to

Danes Danes (, ), or Danish people, are an ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark and a modern nation identified with the country of Denmark. This connection may be ancestral, legal, historical, or cultural. History Early history Denmark ...

and

Norwegians Norwegians () are an ethnic group and nation native to Norway, where they form the vast majority of the population. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegians are descended from the Norsemen, Norse of the Early ...

respectively. Later, ''Fionnghall'' was used to describe Scottish Gaels from the

Hebrides The Hebrides ( ; , ; ) are the largest archipelago in the United Kingdom, off the west coast of the Scotland, Scottish mainland. The islands fall into two main groups, based on their proximity to the mainland: the Inner Hebrides, Inner and Ou ...

, and sometimes the

Hiberno-Norman Norman Irish or Hiberno-Normans (; ) is a modern term for the descendants of Norman settlers who arrived during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Most came from England and Wales. They are distinguished from the native ...

s (or "

Old English Old English ( or , or ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brought to Great Britain by Anglo-S ...

"). The most common term for the Hiberno-Normans was ''Seanghoill'' ("old foreigners") to differentiate themselves from the ''Dubhghoill'' the "new foreigners" or "dark foreigners" who came to Ireland during

Tudor conquest of Ireland Ireland was conquered by the Tudor monarchs of England in the 16th century. The Anglo-Normans had Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, conquered swathes of Ireland in the late 12th century, bringing it under Lordship of Ireland, English rule. In t ...

. The name ''Doyle'' is not found in any of the old genealogies which document other prominent Irish families. This has led many to maintain that the Doyles are of somewhat recent origin in Ireland. In 2014, ''Doyle'' was the ninth most common surname in Ireland. In consequence it is thought that there may be several different specific sources of the name. Doyles found in

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

may be of Scottish descent, as the name was used for MacDowell. In the 20th century the principal locations of the surname were in

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, , Kerry and

Cork "Cork" or "CORK" may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Stopper (plug), or "cork", a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container *** Wine cork an item to seal or reseal wine Places Ireland * ...

A

* A. E. Doyle (1877–1928), American architect * Abigail Doyle, associate professor of chemistry at Princeton University * Adrian Conan Doyle (1910–1970), youngest son of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle * Al 'Do-it' Doyle, British electropop musician *

Alan Doyle Alan Thomas Doyle (born May 17, 1969) is a Canadian musician and founding member of the Canadian folk rock band Great Big Sea. Life and career Alan Doyle was born and raised in Petty Harbour–Maddox Cove, Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, in a Ro ...

(born 1969), Canadian musician and actor * Allen Doyle (born 1948), American golfer * Andrew Doyle (disambiguation), several people * Anne Doyle (born 1952), Irish television newsreader *

Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for ''A Study in Scarlet'', the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Hol ...

(1859–1930), British writer *

Avril Doyle Avril Doyle (; born 18 April 1949) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Minister of State from 1986 to 1987 and from 1995 to 1997. She served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1999 to 2004 and 2004 to 2009, a ...

(born 1949), former Irish politician

B

* Benjamin Doyle (born 1991 or 1992), New Zealand politician * Ben Doyle (born 1999), American YouTuber, writer, and producer; co-author of Jet Lag: The Game * Brian Doyle (1930–2008), Australian rower * Brian Doyle (born 1935), Canadian writer * Brian Doyle (born 1955), former Major League Baseball player *

Brian Doyle-Murray Brian Murray (born October 31, 1945), better known by his stage name Brian Doyle-Murray, is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. He has appeared with his younger brother, actor/comedian Bill Murray, in several films, including ''Caddy ...

(born 1945), American actor and writer * Brian J. Doyle (born 1950), former press secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

C

* Candida Doyle (born 1963), Irish musician * Cartha Doyle (born 1929), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player * Charles Altamont Doyle (1832–1893), Victorian artist * Charles Hastings Doyle (1804–1883), British military officer * Charley "Little Buddy" Doyle (1911–unknown), American country blues guitarist, singer and songwriter * Chris Doyle, American multi-media artist * Christopher Doyle (born 1952), Australian cinematographer * Clyde Doyle (1887–1963), U.S. Representative from California * Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill (born 1974), Irish silversmith and academic, co-inventor of mikana * Colin Doyle (born 1977), Canadian lacrosse player * Colin Doyle (born 1985), Irish footballer * Cornelius J. Doyle (1871–1938), American politician *

Craig Doyle Craig Doyle (born 17 December 1970) is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV and more recently TNT Sports; Irish viewers also know him as the host of RTÉ One chat show ...

(born 1970), Irish television and radio presenter

D

* Damhnait Doyle (born 1975), Canadian singer * Danny Doyle (1917–2004), American baseball player * Danny Doyle (singer) (1940–2019), Irish folk singer * David Doyle (1929–1997), American actor * David Doyle, Manx politician * David J. Doyle, Michigan politician * Debra Doyle (1952–2020), American writer * Denny Doyle (1944–2022), American baseball player * Denny Doyle (born 1949), politician in Oregon, United States * Denzil Doyle, Canadian entrepreneur * Desmond Doyle (1924–1986), Irish painter * Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, American songwriter and guitarist

E

* Eamon Doyle (born 1983), American R&B singer * Ed Doyle (politician) (born 1935), former Canadian politician * Eddie Doyle (American football) (1898–1942), American football player * Eddie Doyle (hurler) (1897–1948), Irish hurler * Edward Doyle (Irish politician), Irish Labour Party politician * Eoin Doyle, Irish footballer * Eugene C. Doyle (1925–1989), American politician

F

Francis Hastings Doyle Sir Francis Hastings Charles Doyle, 2nd Baronet (21 August 1810 – 8 June 1888) was a British poet. Biography Doyle was born near Tadcaster, Yorkshire, to a military family which produced several distinguished officers, including his father, Ma ...

(1810–1888), British poet * Frank Doyle (ice hockey) (born 1980), Canadian ice hockey player *

Frank Doyle (politician) Francis Edward Doyle (17 June 1922 – 13 March 1984) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1972 to 1974, representing the electorate of Lilley. Doyle was born in Oakey, Queensland. He w ...

(1922–1984), Australian politician * Frank Doyle (writer) (1917–1996), American comic writer

G

* Gary Doyle, (born 1949), former Canadian ice hockey player * George Doyle, Gaelic footballer * Geraldine Doyle (1924–2010), American model. * Gerry Doyle (disambiguation), several people * Glennon Doyle (born 1976), American writer * Graham Doyle (born 1974), Irish football coach * Grant Doyle (born 1971), Australian-British operatic baritone

H

* Harry Doyle (politician) (born 1941), former Canadian politician * Hollie Doyle, British jockey

J

Jacob Doyle Jacob Dixon Doyle (November 26, 1855 – August 15, 1941) was an American Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the Washington Nationals of the National Association, the first professional league. He was born in Leesburg, Virginia. In ...

(1855–1941), Major League Baseball player * James Doyle (disambiguation), several people *

Jean Conan Doyle Air Commandant Dame Lena Annette Jean Conan Doyle, Lady Bromet, (21 December 1912 – 18 November 1997) was a British Women's Royal Air Force officer. The second daughter of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, she was brought up at her parents' country ...

(1912–1997), daughter of Arthur Conan Doyle * Jeff Doyle (born 1956), former Major League Baseball player *

Jerry Doyle Jerry Doyle (July 16, 1956 – July 27, 2016) was an American talk radio host, political commentator, television actor and founder of the content platform EpicTimes. His nationally syndicated talk show, ''The Jerry Doyle Show'', aired througho ...

(1956–2016), American talk radio host *

, former Canadian politician * Joanne Doyle (born 1973), Irish dancer with Riverdance * Joe Doyle (cyclist), Irish racing cyclist and administrator * Joe Doyle (musician) (born 1977), Irish rock bassist * Joe Doyle (politician) (1936–2009), Fine Gael politician, Lord Mayor of Dublin * John Doyle (disambiguation), several people * John Paul "JP" Doyle (born 1979), Irish rugby union referee based in England * Joseph "Jack" Doyle, (1913–1978), Irish boxer, actor and tenor * Josh Doyle, solo rock artist

K

* Kathleen Doyle (born 1998), American basketball player * Keith Doyle (footballer) (born 1979), Irish football player * Keith Doyle (politician) (1924–2017), Australian politician * Kevin Doyle (footballer) (born 1983), Irish footballer * Kevin Doyle (actor) (born 1961), British actor *

Kirby Doyle Kirby Doyle (November 27, 1932 – April 5, 2003), born Stanton Doyle, was an American poet. He was featured in the '' New American Poetry'' anthology, with the so-called "third generation" of American modernist poets. He was one of the San Fran ...

(1932–2003), American poet * Kristy Doyle (born 1980), Australian netball player

L

* Larry Doyle (1886–1974), Major League Baseball player * Larry Doyle (born 1958), American writer *

Laurance Doyle Laurance R. Doyle (born 1953) is an American scientist who received his Ph.D. from the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg. Doyle has worked at the SETI Institute since 1987 where he is a principal investigator and astrophysicist. His main ...

(born 1953), American scientist * Linda Doyle (born 1968), Irish engineer, professor and university head * Little Buddy Doyle (1911–c.1960), American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter *

Loretta Doyle Loretta Doyle (also known by her married name Cusack, born 12 July 1963) is a Scottish judoka who won the under-52 kg event at the 1982 World Championships, and the under-56 kg event at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Doyle also won the ...

(born 1963), British judoka

M

* Maria Doyle Kennedy (born 1964), Irish actress and singer * Martin Doyle (disambiguation), several people * Mary Doyle, Australian politician * Mary Doyle (actor) (1931–1995), American actress * Melissa Doyle (born 1970), Australian TV journalist * Michael Doyle (disambiguation), several people

N

* Nathan Doyle (born 1987), English footballer * Nicholas Grattan-Doyle (1862–1941), British Conservative Party politician * Norman Doyle (born 1945), former Canadian politician

P

* Paddy Doyle, British athlete * Paddy Doyle (1941–2020), Irish hurler *

Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle (born 6 April 1953) is a Scottish composer and occasional actor best known for his film scores. During his 50-year career in film, television and theatre, he has composed the scores for over 60 feature films. A longtime collaborato ...

(1777–1857), Canadian businessman *

(born 1953), Scottish composer * Paul Doyle (1939–2020), retired Major League Baseball player * Percy William Doyle (1806?–1887), British diplomat * Peter Doyle (1844–1900), American politician * Peter Doyle (born 1945), Irish cyclist * Peter Doyle (1949–2001), Australian pop singer * Peter Doyle (born 1951), Australian writer * Peter John Haworth Doyle (born 1944), Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton * Phil Doyle (born 1967), Australian writer

R

Richard Doyle (illustrator) Richard "Dickie" Doyle (18 September 1824 – 10 December 1883) was a British illustrator of the Victorian era. His work frequently appeared, amongst other places, in '' Punch magazine''; he drew the cover of the first issue, and designed the m ...

(1824–1883), Victorian illustrator * Richard Doyle (senator) (1923–2003), Canadian senator (1985–1998) * Robert Doyle (born 1953), Australian politician * Robert B. Doyle, Manitoba judge *

Roddy Doyle Roderick Doyle (born 8 May 1958) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, eight books for children, seven plays and screenplays, and dozens of short stories. Several of his books have been ...

(born 1958), Irish writer * Roger Doyle (born 1949), Irish composer * Ruth Bachhuber Doyle (1916–2006), Wisconsin politician * Ryan Doyle (born 1991), model, Sinead Doyle's husband * Ryan Doyle (boxer) (born 1991), British boxer

S

* Sam Doyle (1908–1985), American folk artist * Simon Doyle (born 1966), former Australian middle-distance runner * Slow Joe Doyle (1881–1947), Major League Baseball player * Stephen Doyle (footballer) (born 1981), South Australian Australian rules footballer * Stephen Doyle (hurler), Irish hurler * Steve Doyle, Welsh footballer * Steve Doyle (Wisconsin politician), American politician * Steven Doyle, chess tournament organiser *

Susannah Doyle Susannah Doyle (born 5 July 1966) is an English actress, notable for her roles as Joy Merryweather in ''Drop The Dead Donkey'' (1991–1998), and as Avril Burke in ''Ballykissangel'' (2001). Her other credits include ''Scandal (1989 film), Scan ...

(born 1966), British actress and film director

T

* Thomas Doyle (disambiguation), multiple people * Tim Doyle (born 1959), American sitcom writer and producer * Tomás Ó Dubhghaill (1917–1962),

Irish Republican Army The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a name used by various Resistance movement, resistance organisations in Ireland throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Organisations by this name have been dominantly Catholic and dedicated to anti-imperiali ...

and

Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( ; ; ) is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The History of Sinn Féin, original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffit ...

activist, president of Sinn Féin in the 1950s *

Tony Doyle (actor) Michael Anthony Doyle (21 July 1935 – 28 January 2000) was an Irish television and film actor. He became widely known in Ireland as a then-radical priest in the popular Irish rural drama '' The Riordans'', which began in 1965. He worked consis ...

(1942–2000), Irish actor *

Tony Doyle (cyclist) Anthony Paul Doyle (19 May 1958 – 30 April 2023) was a British professional cyclist. Biography Doyle was born in Ashford, Middlesex on 19 May 1958. He was world pursuit champion in 1980 and 1986. He was a professional between 1980 and 1995, ...

(1958–2023), former British track cyclist

W

* William Doyle (Canadian businessman), CEO of the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan *

William Doyle (historian) William Doyle (born 1942) is a British historian, specialising in 18th-century France, who is most notable for his one-volume ''Oxford History of the French Revolution'' (1st edition, 1989; 2nd edition, 2002; 3rd edition, 2018). He is one of th ...

(born 1942), British historian * William Doyle (Irish businessman), chief executive of Newbridge Silverware * William Edward Doyle (1911–1986), United States federal judge * William T. Doyle (1926–2024), American politician *

Willie Doyle William Joseph Gabriel Doyle, (3 March 1873 – 16 August 1917) was an Irish Catholics, Irish Catholic priest who was killed in action while serving as a military chaplain to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the First World War. He is a candida ...

(1873–1917), Irish Jesuit priest

Y

* Yvonne Doyle (physician) (born 1957), Irish medical director in England * Yvonne Doyle (tennis) (born 1974), Irish professional tennis player

Fictional characters

* Allen Francis Doyle, in the television series ''

Angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...

'' * Prof. Conner Doyle, in the television series '' Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal'' * Ian Doyle, IRA terrorist in the television series ''

Criminal Minds ''Criminal Minds'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Jeff Davis that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2005. It follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral ...

'' * Captain Jack Doyle, played by

Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and narrator. In a career spanning six decades, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as a nomination for a Tony ...

in the movie ''

Gone Baby Gone ''Gone Baby Gone'' is a 2007 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Ben Affleck in his directorial debut. Affleck co-wrote the screenplay with Aaron Stockard based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film star ...

'' * Jake, Malachy and Tinny Doyle, in the CBC television series '' Republic of Doyle'' *Sgt. James Doyle, in ''Call of Duty: United Offensive'' *Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, detective played by Gene Hackman in ''The French Connection (film), The French Connection'' * Kenny Doyle, in the film ''Death Note (2017 film), Death Note'' * Kevin Doyle, also known as Malcolm Doyle, played by James Marsden in the movie ''27 Dresses'' *Maggie Doyle, in the television show ''Blue Heelers'' *Mike Doyle (24 character), Mike Doyle, in the television series ''24'' * Hector Doyle from the manga and anime series Baki the Grappler, Baki *Mrs Doyle, in the television series ''Father Ted'' *Ray Doyle, in the TV series ''The Professionals (TV series), The Professionals''. *Roz Doyle, in the comedy series ''Frasier'' *Seamus Doyle, Corporal Seamus Doyle, ''Brothers in Arms'' character * Sebastian Doyle, an alter-ego of the character Dave Lister in the ''Red Dwarf'' episode Back to Reality (Red Dwarf), "Back to Reality" *Simon Doyle, a character in Agatha Christie's novel ''Death on the Nile'' *Yvonne Doyle (Fair City), in the Irish soap opera ''Fair City'' * Capt. Doyle, the character who took the place of Nikolai from the mobile phone version of ''Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare'' * Detective Doyle, Lt. Kellaway's partner from ''The Mask (1994 film), The Mask'' * Doyle, androidian character in the television series ''Andromeda (TV series), Andromeda''

References

External links

The Doyle Clan (archived)

History of the Doyle surname in Ireland (archived)
including Doyle clan history, famous people, homelands and guestbook. {{surname, Doyle English-language surnames Anglicised Irish-language surnames