The Boal surname is a variant of Bowell and Boyle. It is common in people of English, Welsh, and Irish descent. In Ireland it is a variant of Boyle while in northern Ireland it developed from the name Bowell. Notable people with the surname include: Augusto Boal (1931-2009), Brazilian theater director Carmine Boal (born 1956), American politician Desmond Boal (born 1929 ), Northern Ireland politician and barrister Don Boal (1907–1953), Canadian rower Iain Boal, Irish social historian James McClellan Boal, American politician Mark Boal (born 1973), American journalist, screenwriter and film producer Peter Boal (born 1965), American balletmaster and former New York City Ballet principal Robert Boal (1806–1903), American politician and physician Theodore Davis Boal (1867–1938), American army veteran (Colonel) and architect Walter Boal (born c. 1879), All-American football player and hammer thrower William Boal (died 1970), imprisoned for association with Mail Train robbery in 1963 See also Boal, Spanish municipality in Asturias Boal (disambiguation) References External links The Boal Surname in the United States Boal Family Genealogy Forum Boal Mansion Museum Genealogical mailing list Surnames