As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Heb.) Prevailing in the Lord; a name given to the Patriarch Jacob.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

ISRAEL. A common Jewish surname, from the personal designation.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Religion of origin: Jewish

Language of origin: Hebrew

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.