Surname Harrell - Meaning and Origin
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Harrell: What does the surname Harrell mean?
Harrell is a surname that has both English and Irish origins. In English, it is believed to be a derivative of the name Harold, which has origins in the Old English name "Hereweald", meaning "army ruler" or "leader of the army". This name was popular in the Middle Ages and was taken by Scandinavian settlers (Vikings) to the regions that are now England and Scotland.
In Irish context, Harrell is considered to be an anglicization of the Gaelic name "O'hEarghail", which translates to "descendant of Earghal". The name Earghal itself is thought to mean "noble or valorous". The name's origins can be traced back to a time when surnames denoted the lineage of a family or their occupation.
It is important to remember that the meaning of a surname can vary greatly depending on its cultural and historical context, and the spelling can also change over time due to different regional influences. Therefore, these interpretations, while plausible, may not necessarily apply to everyone with the surname Harrell.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrell: Where does the name Harrell come from?
The surname Harrell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from the personal name "Hereweald", derived from the elements "here", meaning army, and "weald", meaning control or rule. It was adopted as a surname after becoming a popular given name in England after the Norman Conquest. It has various spellings, including Harwell, Harrel, Hurrell, and Harewell, among others.
Later, many people with the Harrell surname immigrated to the United States, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the surname Harrell is most common in the United States, particularly in southern states like Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia. There is also a significant presence of people with the Harrell surname in the United Kingdom, where the surname originated. However, this surname, like many others, can be found in varying numbers around the world due to the global diaspora.
Variations of the surname Harrell
The surname Harrell has several variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations are often due to regional pronunciation, record errors, literacy levels, and simply personal preference.
Alternate spellings include: Harrel, Harell, Harreld, and Harroll.
The surnames Harrold, Hurrell, Horrell, and Herold are also considered to be of the same origin in many cases. While their spelling and pronunciation differs, they are phonetically similar, indicating a common root.
The surname Harrell is believed to have Northern English and Scottish origins, deriving from the personal name Hereweald, or its Old Norse equivalent Haraldr. Throughout history, the use of phonetic and regional dialects have led to the many variations of this surname.
The Old French Harail, Herail, and Harell, common during the Norman Conquest, are of the same lineage and led to the surname in question. Harrell and its variations could also have locational roots, such as from places like Harwell in Oxfordshire or Herefordshire, whose Old English name “Hygeraede-wielle” got contracted over time into Harrell.
Some surnames closely related to Harrell, but evolved separately, include Harrold, Herill, Harrill, Harral, and Horrel.
Famous people with the name Harrell
- Tom Harrell: American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, and arranger.
- Anna Harrell: Actress, best known for Miss Juneteenth.
- Reggie Harrell: Former professional American football player.
- Montrezl Harrell: Professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA.
- Robert Harrell: Former American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Shawn Harrell: American football player.
- Jake Harrell: Former professional baseball player and coach.
- Ryan Harrell: Film producer, well-known for "Judge Singh LLB."
- Kim Harrell: Film producer, best known for "Numb3rs."
- Roy Harrell: Business standard bearer in the tech industry.
- Ruth Harrell: Renowned author.
- Graham Harrell: American football coach and former player.
- Kevn Harrell: Musician, notable member of the Southern rock band, Drivin N Cryin.
- Othella Harrington: Former professional basketball player.
- Pharrell Williams: Although Williams is his last name and not Harrell but he was previously part of the production duo The Neptunes with Chad Hugo and has produced hit singles for various recording artists under their alias, which became best friends with a childhood friend Shay Haley.