The surname Temple is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word "templ," which means "temple" or "place of worship." It was originally given as a surname to someone who lived near a temple, or who worked as a servant or custodian in a temple. Over time, it became a hereditary surname for the descendants of these individuals. The surname Temple is also associated with the Knights Templar, a religious military order that was founded in the 12th century. Many of the knights who belonged to this order were given the surname Temple because of their association with the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.