Noble Family History

English, Scottish, and French: status name or nickname from Middle English, Old French noble ‘high-born, distinguished, illustrious’ (from Latin nobilis), denoting someone of lofty birth or character, or someone who poses as a nobleman, or perhaps also ironically someone of low station.

The surname has been established in Ireland since the 13th century but was re-introduced in the 17th century and is now found mainly in Ulster.

Compare French Lenoble. Americanized form of Jewish (Ashkenazic) and German Knöbel, Knobel, and Nobel.

Spanish: nickname from noble ‘noble’ or ‘courteous, kind’ (see 1 above).