TERRELL
The surname Terrell is primarily associated with the British Isles and is historically situated within England, where the language spoken is English, the faith traditionally adhered to is Christianity and the name originates from English roots.
Historically the name is thought to derive from the Old French personal name Tirel or Tirell, which itself was adopted from the Germanic name Theodoric. The Germanic compound Theodoric is formed from the elements theud, meaning “people”, and ric, meaning “ruler” or “king”. Consequently, the surname Terrell may be interpreted to denote a “ruler of the people” or a “king of the people”.
Alternate historic spellings of the name include Turle, Turrill, Tyrrell and Tirrell. These variants point to a complex etymological background that may include pre‑8th‑century Danish‑Viking or Old French origins. The Old Danish female personal name Thorold is one theory that has been suggested for some bearers of the name, and the name was recorded in the Domesday Book for the county of Suffolk in 1086. Another theory links the name to the Old French nickname Tirel, which was used to describe an animal that pulled at the reins and was extended metaphorically to denote a stubborn person. As with many early European surnames, the nickname likely arose from habitual use, reflecting occupation, characteristic or physical attribute.
Early documentary evidence for the name includes records from the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, where the names Claricia Thourild and Walter Thurild appear; the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1308, which contain an entry for John Torild; and various London church registers that document, for example, the christening of Anne Turrell on 28 December 1554 at St. Martin Ludgate, the marriage of Avice Turall and John Daniell at St. Olave’s, Hart Street, and the marriage of Agnes Tyrrl and Robert Davis on 1 July 1599 at St. Katherine by the Tower. These records illustrate the distribution and continued use of the surname throughout England.
The earliest recorded spelling that has been reliably preserved is that of Ralph Turold, dated 1273 in the Hundred Rolls of Suffolk, which were compiled during the reign of King Edward I of England, 1272‑1307.
Typical given names associated with the Terrell surname
Male
- Andrew
- Benjamin
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Caroline
- Emma
- Jennifer
- Karen
- Kathleen
- Louise
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Pauline
- Rebecca
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan
- Zoe
Similar and related surnames
- Darrall
- Dearle
- Durrell
- Tarallo
- Tarel
- Tarle
- Tarrall
- Tarrel
- Tarrell
- Tarrelli
- Tarriela
- Tarrill
- Taurel
- Taweel
- Tawell
- Tearall
- Tearle
- Tearrall
- Tearrell
- Terala
- Terell
- Terla
- Terle
- Terral
- Terrall
- Terrel
- Terril
- Terrill
- Terroll
- Teruel
- Therrell
- Thurrell
- Tirel
- Tirelli
- Tirol
- Tirrall
- Tirrel
- Tirrell
- Tirrill
- Toral
- Torel
- Torella
- Toriello
- Torle
- Torrel
- Torrell
- Torrella
- Tourell
- Tourle
- Tourrel
- Trell
- Tural
- Turel
- Tureli
- Turell
- Turello
- Turells
- Turle
- Turral
- Turrall
- Turrel
- Turrell
- Turril
- Turrill
- Twerrell
- Tyerell
- Tyrell
- Tyrrel
- Tyrrell
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Terrell in...
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There are approximately 984 people named Terrell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,466th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Terrell.
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
