The Clan/Sept History

Throughout history, very few Irish surnames have exclusively maintained their
original forms. Before being translated into English, O Toole appeared as O
Tuathail, which is derived from "tuathal," which means "people mighty."

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different
spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare
there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the
Britsh Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O Toole include Toole,
Tool, O'Toole, O'Tool, Tooley, Toile and many more.
First found in county Kildare, seated at O'Toole's Castle, where they were
descended from Tuathal, King of Leinster who died in 950 A.D.
Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century.
For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common.
Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America.
Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived,
were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United
States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers
occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as
construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration
lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name O Toole: Ann Tool arrived in
America in 1702; Christian Tool settled in Virginia in 1726; John Tool settled
in Maryland in 1775; followed by Robert in 1776; James Tool settled in Boston
Mass in 1766.