Of English origin.
It was used as a surname.
From the Old English nickname “Cola”.
It means “charcoal”, “swarthy” or “coal-black”.
Wikipedia mentions that the first record of a family named Cole is of the “Randolphi Cole”, in Hampshire at the southern coast of England, in 1148.
Variants of the name are: Kole, Coal, Coleman, Kohl.
Famous bearers are Cole Porter, Cole Beasley, Cole Grossman, Cole Hauser, Cole Hamels, Cole Sprouse.
Cole Porter was an American composer and lyricist.
He is considered as one America’s legendary songwriters.
His work consist of songs such as “Night and Day”, “Begin the Beguine”, “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Let’s Do It”, “I’ve Got You Under my Skin”, etc.