Origin of the Name Athol

Athol is a Scottish name that originally comes from an Earldom in the Scottish Highlands. Today it is a district in Scotland forms the northern part of Perth and Kinross. This Earldom is the home of the Duke of Athol, who is the only person in the UK allowed to have his own army. The first person to hold the title, and thus the name Athol was Matad, Earl of Athol.

Meaning of the Name

The meaning of Athol can be traced back to Ath-fhotla, which is an Old Irish word for New Ireland. The area was settled by the Gaelic people during the middle ages, who took over the land from the Picts. Upon settling the land, they renamed it to reflect their heritage.

Popularity

Athol was not in the top 100 girls’ names in Scotland in 2018.

Famous People and Places Called Athol

In addition to the various Dukes and Earls of Athol, the name Athol has also been given to several towns around the globe, including Athol, Massachuttes. Outside of Scottland, the best known Athol is Athol Fugard, a South African playwright. The popularity of Athol is not particularly high, but it is a strong name with a rich history.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and popularity of other Scottish girls’ names.