The name Earl has its origins in the Old English word "eorl", which meant "nobleman" or "warrior". This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic "arja-liz", meaning "one who leads in battle". The name first appeared in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 5th to 11th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Earl is found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record of events in Anglo-Saxon England. The chronicle mentions an Earl named Ealdorman Byrhtric, who lived in the late 10th century and served as an advisor to King Ethelred the Unready.

In the Middle Ages, the title of Earl was a rank of nobility in the British peerage system, just below the rank of Duke. The title was often bestowed upon individuals who had distinguished themselves in military service or held significant lands and estates.

A notable early bearer of the name Earl was Earl Godwin, who lived from around 992 to 1053. He was an influential Earl of Wessex and one of the most powerful noblemen in England during the reign of King Edward the Confessor.

Another historically significant Earl was Earl William Longchamp, who lived from around 1135 to 1197. He served as Chancellor of England and was a prominent figure during the reign of King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart.

In literature, one of the most famous Earls is the character of Earl of Northumberland in William Shakespeare's plays "Richard II" and "Henry IV, Part 1". This character was based on the real-life Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, who lived from 1364 to 1408 and played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses.

During the Renaissance period, the name Earl was also used by notable figures such as Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who lived from 1566 to 1601. He was a prominent courtier and military leader during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.