This interesting and unusual surname is a German variant of Dole, which is of French origin, and is derived from a nickname for a troubled or anxious person, from the Old French "dole", from "dolere", to hurt, "dolet", it is a matter of regret; literally this means it hurts. This is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal or bird's appearance or disposition, habits of dress and occupation. The modern surname can be found as Dole, Dolle, Doel(le) and Doale. One James Doel married Anne Huckwell on January 4th 1668 at St. Katherine-by-the-Tower, London. The christening was recorded in Germany of Maria Catharina, daughter of Joannis Doel and Gertrudis Dreisers, on July 1st 1674 at Mayen, Katholisch, PR, Rheinland. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de la Dole, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.