<Tr> <Th> Region of origin </Th> <Td> England </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Footnotes: Frequency comparisons: </Td> </Tr> <P> Cole / koʊl / is a surname of English origin, and is much less frequently a given name . It is of Middle English origin, and its meaning is "swarthy, coal - black, charcoal". The Cole family originated in Cornwall, South West England . The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Randolphi Cole, appearing in the Winton Rolls of Hampshire in 1148 . </P> <P> It is also an Americanized spelling of the German name' Kohl', and of the Scottish and Irish name' McCool' . </P>

Where does the first name cole come from