Snell

Surname Origin: English

Meaning: The surname Snell is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "snel," meaning quick or lively. It was often used as a nickname for someone who was fast or agile.

Variants: Variants of the surname Snell include Snel, Snelle, and Snelling.

Historical Record: The Snell surname has been recorded in England since medieval times, with early references found in documents such as the Domesday Book of 1086. The name was likely spread by the Norman Conquest of 1066 and subsequent Norman influence in England.

Distribution: The surname Snell is most commonly found in the south of England, particularly in the counties of Essex, Kent, and Sussex. It has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous Individuals: Notable individuals with the Snell surname include British physicist Charles James Snell, who made significant contributions to the field of optics, and Australian cricketer Merv Hughes, whose mother's maiden name was Snell.

Coat of Arms: The Snell family coat of arms typically features symbols of strength, agility, and loyalty.

Modern Usage: The surname Snell continues to be used today, with many individuals proudly bearing the name as a link to their English heritage.


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There are approximately 9,023 people named Snell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,049th most common surname in Britain. Around 139 in a million people in Britain are named Snell.

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
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Charlotte
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Julie
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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