Errol

Errol is a masculine given name used chiefly in English-speaking countries. It is often treated as a variant of Erroll and is commonly associated with the Scottish toponym Errol, a village and parish in Perth and Kinross on the River Tay. The exact etymology is uncertain, but the name is frequently linked to place-based origins rather than a single linguistic root.

Notable people named Errol include Errol Flynn (1909–1959), an Australian-born actor renowned for swashbuckling roles such as Robin Hood; Errol Brown (1943–2015), Jamaican-born lead singer of the British band Hot Chocolate; Errol Barrow (1920–1987), Barbadian statesman and the first Prime Minister after Barbados gained independence; and Errol Musk (born 1946), South African engineer and father of entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The Scottish village of Errol lies in Perth and Kinross, on the north bank of the River Tay, and forms a civil parish within the council area. The name has been used in various biographies, historical accounts, and cultural references, reflecting its continued presence in English-speaking societies.

As a given name, Errol has seen use across the 20th century and into contemporary times, with its popularity often tied to notable bearers and the broader association with Scottish place names.