OToole

OToole is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Ó Tuathail (sometimes Ó Tuathghail), and is commonly anglicized as O'Toole. The name is traditionally understood to mean “descendant of Tuathal” or “descendant of Tuathail,” with Tuathal serving as a personal name in early Gaelic society. Over time the spelling has varied, and forms such as O'Tool, Toole, or OToole are encountered; in modern usage the form without an apostrophe has become common in many countries.

O'Toole families were present in Ireland from the medieval period, and the name is now widespread among the Irish diaspora in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

Notable individuals include Peter O'Toole (1932–2013), an Irish-British actor known for Lawrence of Arabia and The Lion in Winter, who received multiple Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and was honored with an Honorary Academy Award in 2003.

Because the name is a surname, many people share it but are not related; it is not tied to a single modern lineage or title.

See also: Toole; O'Toole (disambiguation).