English and French: nickname for someone who had some special
connection with the Christmas season, such as owing the particular
feudal duty of providing a yule-log to the lord of the manor, or
having given a memorable performance as the Lord of Misrule. The name
is from Middle English, Old French no(u)el ‘Christmas’ (Latin
natalis (dies) ‘birthday’). It was also used as a given name
for someone born during the Christmas period.
Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
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