Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
POWELL
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
A contraction of the Welsh Ap Howell, the son of Howell. It may also be deduced from Paul, of which it was a former orthography: "After the text of Crist, and Powel, and Jon." Wright's Chaucer, 7229.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Wales
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Welsh