Cordell

Cordell is an English surname of medieval origin that is believed to have Norman roots. The name is thought to have been introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The surname Cordell is derived from the Old French name Cordelier, which referred to a Franciscan monk belonging to the religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi. The name is derived from the word "cordelle," meaning "cord" or "rope," and is thought to have originally been a nickname for someone who wore a cord belt or habit as part of their religious attire.

Over the centuries, the surname Cordell has been recorded in various forms, including Cordall, Cordle, and Cordwell. The distribution of the name is primarily found in southern England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

Notable bearers of the surname Cordell include American composer Lesley Gore, whose full name was Lesley Sue Goldstein-Cordell, and English politician Sir William Cordell, who served as the Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Today, the surname Cordell is relatively uncommon but retains historic significance and serves as a reminder of England's medieval past.

There are approximately 1,407 people named Cordell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,656th most common surname in Britain. Around 22 in a million people in Britain are named Cordell.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Angela
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jane
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Valerie

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