NELL
Nell
The surname Nell is of English origin and is believed to be derived from the medieval female given name "Nell", a diminutive of Eleanor. The name Eleanor itself comes from the Old French name "Alienor", which ultimately has Germanic roots meaning "foreign" or "the other".
The surname Nell is fairly rare and is found mainly in the United Kingdom, particularly in areas where the name Eleanor was popular in medieval times. It may also have originated as a nickname for a person with the qualities or characteristics associated with the female name Eleanor, such as nobility or kindness.
The first recorded instance of the Nell surname dates back to the late 16th century in England. Over the centuries, the name has evolved and diversified, with variations such as Nel and Nelle also appearing in historical records.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Nell include Mary Nell Steenburgen, an American actress, and Samuel Nell, a British poet and writer.
In conclusion, the surname Nell is a testament to the rich history and linguistic diversity of British surnames, with its origins rooted in medieval England and its legacy continuing to be carried by individuals around the world.
There are approximately 401 people named Nell in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Nell.
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
- Andre
- Christopher
- David
- Johan
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Peter
- Philip
- Robert
- Simon
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Alison
- Christine
- Gillian
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Joanne
- Karen
- Linda
- Lucy
- Pamela
- Sheila
Similar and related surnames
- Knell
- Knall
- Kneale
- Neilsen
- Neil
- Neall
- Neale
- Neal
- Nilsson
- Neilson
- Nielson
- Niell
- Neils
- Nelsen
- Nelson
- Nel
- Nela
- Nella
- Nelle
- Nelli
- Kneal
- Kneel
- Kneil
- Knill
- Naal
- Nahl
- Nail
- Nale
- Nall
- Nalli
- Nallo
- Nalls
- Naul
- Neally
- Neals
- Neeal
- Neel
- Neela
- Neeli
- Neels
- Nehls
- Neila
- Neill
- Neille
- Neilley
- Neillie
- Neilly
- Neilo
- Nele
- Neli
- Nellas
- Nelles
- Nelley
- Nellia
- Nellie
- Nellis
- Nells
- Nelly
- Nels
- Nelu
- Nely
- Nelz
- Niells
- Nielly
- Nil
- Nill
- Nille
- Nills
- Nol
- Kneill
- Knol
- Nalla
- Nallie
- Nally
- Neail
- Nealy
- Neele
- Neely
- Neilie
- Neillis
- Neily
- Nellies
- Niel
- Niela
- Nieli
- Nielo
- Nilles
- Noall
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.