Origin & History

Anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic 'O Dubhghaill', meaning 'descendant of Dubhghall', where 'Dubhghall' is composed of 'dubh' (dark, black) and 'gall' (foreigner, stranger) — meaning 'dark foreigner'. The 'dark foreigner' epithet was used by the Irish to distinguish Danish Vikings from the lighter-complexioned Norwegian Vikings, who were called 'Finngall' (fair foreigner). Many Doyle families are therefore descended from Danish Viking settlers who intermarried with the Gaelic Irish. The name is most concentrated in County Wexford and south Leinster.