Hansell

Hansell is a British surname of Old French origins. The name is believed to derive from the Old French personal name "Ansell", which itself comes from the Germanic name "Anselm", composed of the elements "ans" meaning 'god' and "helm" meaning 'helmet' or 'protector'.

Distribution

The surname Hansell is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with the highest concentrations found in counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. It is predominantly found in East Anglia.

Notable People

  • Sir Percy Hansell: A renowned British diplomat who served in various capacities during the early 20th century.
  • Mary Hansell: A notable figure in the field of botany, known for her contributions to British flora research.
  • John Hansell: A respected author and historian who specialised in British medieval history.

Historical Significance

The surname Hansell has historical significance in British medieval records, indicating noble and knightly lineages during the Middle Ages. It has been associated with various notable figures in British history, particularly those involved in diplomacy, academia, and the military.

Variants

Variants of the Hansell surname include Hanzell, Hansall, Hanzall, and Hanshill.

References

  • Reaney, P. H., and Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Redmonds, G. (2017). A Dictionary of Yorkshire Surnames. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 945 people named Hansell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,689th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Hansell.

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

  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard

Female

  • Catherine
  • Claire
  • Dorothy
  • Elizabeth
  • Gillian
  • Jennifer
  • Judith
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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