Last Name Sol

The surname "Sol" has multiple origins depending on the region and ethnicity. Here are a few possibilities: 1. Spanish and Portuguese: In Spanish and Portuguese, "sol" means sun. It could have been an occupational name for a sun-worshiper or a topographic name for someone who lived near a sunny place. 2. Jewish (Ashkenazi): "Sol" is a shortened form of various Jewish names with the Hebrew element "Shlomo," which means peace, tranquility, or calming, referring to King Solomon, one of the wise kings in the Old Testament. 3. Slavic: In some Slavic languages like Russian and Ukrainian, "Sol" can mean salt. It could have been an occupational name for a salt maker or topographic name for someone who lived near a salty area. 4. African (Yoruba): In the Yoruba language of Nigeria, "Sol" means king. It may have been a nickname given to someone who was considered a leader in their community.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Sol

The meaning and origin of the last name Sol

The surname Sol originates from various sources across different cultures. In Spanish and Italian, "Sol" translates to "sun," reflecting its association with the celestial body. This name may have been given as a symbolic tribute to a radiant personality or as a reference to the time of year when a child was born.

In Hebrew, Sol can be translated as "peace," suggesting a name with peaceful connotations. It is also a variant of the Biblical name Solomon, meaning "peaceful man." The name Solomon appears in the Old Testament and is associated with wisdom and prosperity.

The surname Sol may have been adopted by Jewish families fleeing persecution, as a means to hide their true identity or as a way to demonstrate religious affiliation. Over time, it became common among various ethnic groups and can now be found worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Sol

The surname Sol is predominantly found in regions with significant Spanish-speaking populations, due to its origin from the Spanish word for 'sun.' It is most common in Spain, particularly in the regions of Castile and Aragon, reflecting its historical use there. Additionally, it is widely distributed among the Spanish-speaking population in Latin America, such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Central and South American countries where Spanish colonization was extensive. It is also found in other parts of the world with significant Spanish immigration, such as the United States, particularly in regions with a high concentration of people from Spain or Latin America. The surname Sol can also be found among the Sephardic Jewish community, who were expelled from Spain in 1492 and dispersed throughout Europe and the Middle East, where they adopted local names but often retained their original Jewish names as patronymics, such as Sol (son of Sol).

Variants and spellings of the last name Sol

The surname Sol, derived from the Latin word for sun, has several variations and spellings in different languages and dialects. In English, it is commonly written as Sol. However, there are also variations such as de Sol, van Sol, Solis, Sól, and Sull, among others.

In Spanish, a common variation is Solís, which is derived from the same Latin root but has an extra 's' to indicate possession in that language. In Icelandic, Sól is a feminine given name but can also function as a surname for women. The Dutch form van Sol or Van den Sol is another variant.

In some cases, the surname Sol may be hyphenated (e.g., Sol-Levante) or combined with other names (e.g., Solomon). It's always important to consider the specific cultural and linguistic context when dealing with variations of surnames.

Famous people with the last name Sol

The Sol family has produced several notable figures in various fields. One of the most prominent is Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian novelist and historian, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970 for his works that exposed the Soviet totalitarian regime, particularly "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich." Another renowned figure is Eduardo Soler, a Mexican architect known for designing several iconic structures in Mexico City such as the Torre Latinoamericana and the Auditorio Nacional. In the world of sports, tennis player Sofia Kenin, born Sophia Shapatava-Solnyshko, has won the Australian Open in 2020, representing the United States after emigrating from Russia. Lastly, Michael Solomon is an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the J. G. Taylor Spinks Company, a leading industrial packaging supplier. These individuals demonstrate the diverse accomplishments of people sharing the last name Sol.

Genealogical research on the last name Sol

The surname Sol originates from several different regions and cultures, making its origins complex to trace definitively. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sol is in England, where it was found as a Norman-French nickname for someone with a ruddy or sallow complexion, derived from the Old French word "sol" meaning sun. In Spain and Portugal, Sol is a common surname that originated as a patronymic from the given name Solomon, which translates to "peaceful man of God" in Hebrew. The Jewish community has also historically carried the name Sol, likely due to the association with Solomon. The Scandinavian form of the name, Sölve, is believed to be a variant of the Old Norse name Sveinn or Sverre, meaning "young man" or "sword ruler." Overall, the surname Sol has a diverse history, originating from various cultures and languages.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Sol"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends