BELL

Bell is a surname of both English and Scottish provenance, classified principally as an occupational or topographic name. The name derives from the Middle English and Old English word belle, meaning “bell”.

In its occupational sense the surname denotes a bell‑ringer or a bellfounder, that is, a maker of bells. The topographic interpretation identifies an individual who dwelt near a bell, or who resided “at the Bell”, the latter possibly referring to a sign‑post bearing the image of a bell. Both meanings are recorded in the British Isles, where the name first appears in medieval documentation.

Variant spellings such as Bel and Belle occur in early records. The surname may also have arisen from the medieval given name Bel, itself rooted in Old French beu, bel meaning “handsome”. As a feminine form, Bel can be a short form of Isobel, a derivative of Elizabeth. An additional derivation links Bell to the Gaelic patronymic MacGiolla Mhaoil, signifying “son of the servant of the devotee”.

Historical evidence places the name in the twelfth century. A notable early instance is Seaman Belle, recorded between 1181 and 1187 in E. Ekwall’s compilation of early London personal names. Subsequent records include Robert de la Belle (1222, London), the christening of Mary Bell on 13 August 1541 at St Peter’s, Cornhill, London, and the marriage of Margarett Bell to Wylliam Traford on 13 September 1551 at St Mary’s, Westminster.

The surname Bell is among the most widespread in the English‑speaking world, a testament to its multiple origins and the mobility of its bearers. Emigration from Britain is exemplified by the 23‑year‑old Charles Bell, a famine emigrant who sailed from Liverpool aboard the Henry Clay bound for New York on 15 April 1846.

In contemporary Britain the name remains common, reflecting its deep roots in occupational, topographic and personal‑name traditions of the medieval period.

Typical given names associated with the Bell surname

Male

• Andrew
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Robert
• Stephen
• Thomas
• William

Female

• Catherine
• Elizabeth
• Helen
• Karen
• Margaret
• Mary
• Nicola
• Patricia
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Bell in...

Braille

⠃⠑⠇⠇

Morse

-.....-...-..

Semaphore

Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Bell are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Bell

• Jamie Bell - Actor
• Alexander Graham Bell - Scientist and inventor known for his work on the telephone (1847 to 1922)
• Catherine Bell - Actress
• Kristen Bell - American actress
• Mary Bell - Child killer
• Martin Bell - UNICEF Ambassador, former broadcast war reporter and former independent politician
• Gertrude Bell - Writer, traveller, political officer, administrator, archaeologist and spy (1868 to 1926)
• Vanessa Bell - Artist (1879 to 1961)
• Geoff Bell - Actor
• Angellica Bell - Television presenter
• Andy Bell - Singer, member of Erasure
• Joseph Bell - Academic (1837 to 1911)
• John Bell - Actor
• Tom Bell - Actor on stage, film and television (1933 to 2006)
• Drake Bell - American actor and pop singer
• Ian Bell - Cricketer
• Andy Bell - Musician, guitar player in the bands Ride and Oasis
• Mary Hayley Bell - Actress, writer and dramatist (1911 to 2005)
• Colin Bell - Football player
• Lake Bell - American actress, director, and screenwriter

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

Your comments on the Bell surname