Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
TUFNELL
As described in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
TUFNELL. In the XVII. century this name was spelt Tufnaile, and I am therefore rather inclined to take it cm pied de la lettre (or rather at the end of the finger) and to consider " tough nail " as its etymon.
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