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 Colonel

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Military Rank

      Variations

      Clooney, Connell, Cornell
      The name Colonel is derived from the English language and holds the meaning of Military Rank. It traces its roots back to the 16th century when the term colonel was first coined. This title was initially used to designate a leader of a regiment or battalion in the army. The word colonel itself is derived from the Old Italian word colonello, meaning commander of a regiment. Over time, it found its way into the English language, where it is now commonly associated with military rank.

      Throughout history, the name Colonel has played a prominent role in military hierarchies across the globe. In various cultures, colonels have been responsible for leading their troops into battle, commanding military strategies, and upholding discipline within their units. From the British Empire to countries like the United States, colonels have been vital figures in shaping military tactics and overseeing the training of soldiers.

      In modern times, the name Colonel is still widely used within the armed forces. It represents a high rank in the military hierarchy, typically above a lieutenant colonel but below a brigadier general. Colonels often serve as battalion commanders, responsible for managing and leading their troops in various operations. Additionally, the title may be honorary, bestowed upon individuals for their exemplary service or achievements in the military. Regardless of the specific context, the name Colonel continues to embody the essence of military authority and leadership in present-day usage.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Colonel.
      Mary

      Mary

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

      John

      This is the most common name for a child of a Colonel.
      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?

      1918 is when there were the most people born with the first name Colonel.

      Explore the origins of another name.