History:

The surname Paul, originating from Latin, has been spread globally, primarily due to Christian influence. It stems from the Roman name Paulus, which translates to small or humble. His missionary journeys extended the reach of his name across the Roman Empire, covering parts of Europe and the Middle East. Later, during the colonial period, Europeans brought this surname to the Americas, Australia, and Africa. In various regions, the name was modified to align with local language patterns, resulting in its variants.

Description:

The surname Paul has different associations based on its origin. In Christianity, it is often linked to Paul the Apostle. Therefore, it is prevalent among Christian communities around the globe. In Hinduism, Paul is the anglicized version of the surname "Pala". This surname is standard among the Bengali Kayasthas, a sub-caste in India and Bangladesh. It traces its roots back to Gopala I and the Pala Dynasty.

The surname Paul connects individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds. As a Christian surname, its used by people who speak a plethora of languages, reflecting the worldwide spread of Christianity. These languages include English and several European ones among others. Regarding Hindu origins, Paul is an Anglicized version of "Pala", a surname frequently used among Bengali-speaking communities in India and Bangladesh, especially amongst Bengali Kayasthas.

Paul is a prevalent surname in various cultures, including English, French, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and more. It is also widely utilized as a first name.

Here are few notable Indian personalities with the surname and their professions: Aloke Paul is a renowned Indian scientist. Next, we have Amala Paul, a prominent actress in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Angad Paul, a British-Indian businessman, is also a film producer. Anindita Paul is a gifted Indian singer. Beena Paul, another member of this surname, serves as a film editor in Malayalam. Manish Paul, an Indian actor, doubles as a comedian, anchor, and TV show host. Saju Paul is an Indian politician. Satya Paul is a notable Indian fashion designer. Lastly, Bengali actress Sohini Paul is the daughter of Tapas Paul.

The surname "Paul" boasts several variations. "McPhail" is one of these, related through phonetics. Another phonetically similar variation is "MacPhail". In India and Bangladesh, "Pal" is a common surname and is considered a variation due to its link to the anglicized form, "Paul".