Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Coleman

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Dove/Charcoal burner

      Variations

      Clemance, Colman, Clemens
      The origins of the name Coleman can be traced back to England. It is derived from the Old English word colman, which means dove or charcoal burner. The name likely originated as an occupational name, given to individuals who were involved in the trade of burning charcoal. Charcoal burning was an important industry during medieval times, used for numerous purposes including fuel for iron production and as a source of black pigment for painting.

      In history, the name Coleman has been recorded in various forms, such as Colman, Colemann, and Coulman. It was a relatively common name in England, particularly in areas where charcoal burning was prevalent. Over time, individuals with the name Coleman branched out into different professions, and their descendants continued to carry the name. Today, the name Coleman can be found in many English-speaking countries, and it continues to be used as both a first name and a name.

      In modern-day usage, the name Coleman is still associated with its original meanings of dove and charcoal burner, although these connections may not be widely known. Many individuals with the name Coleman have achieved prominence in various fields, including sports, entertainment, and politics. Notable examples include famous American football player Derrick Coleman and acclaimed British actor Jude Law, whose birth name is David Jude Heyworth Law but commonly goes by Jude Coleman. This enduring name serves as a reminder of the historical trades and occupations that shaped our societies.

      Based on our records...

      Flaherty

      Flaherty

      This is the most common surname associated with Coleman.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Coleman.
      Coleman

      Coleman

      This is the most common name for a child of a Coleman.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1898 is when there were the most people born with the first name Coleman.

      Explore the origins of another name.