Surname Arnell - Meaning and Origin

Arnell: What does the surname Arnell mean?

Arnell is a surname with English and German roots. The English origin of the surname comes from the personal name Arnold, derived from the elements “arn,” meaning eagle, and “wald,” meaning rule. Thus, the surname is generally considered to mean "as strong as an eagle" in ancient English context. The Germanic version of the surname also has similar roots, coming from the name Arnold, again signifying someone with the strength or power of an eagle. It was most commonly used as a first name and later evolved into a family name. Like many surnames, Arnell could have also been adopted as a means of identification, referring someone who hailed from a locality or held a position such as "the son of Arnell". As with many surnames, precise interpretations can vary based on geographical, historical, and cultural contexts. It's also crucial to view such meanings within a broader framework than simple direct translation, as many surnames developed as descriptive identifiers in their original language.

Arnell: Where does the name Arnell come from?

The surname Arnell is believed to be of Nordic origin, stemming from Old Norse elements "arn," meaning "eagle," and "ketill," meaning "cauldron" or "helmet." It's a patronymic name that evolved from the personal name Arnketill. The surname was first found in Argyllshire in ancient Scotland, where the Arnell family held a family seat from ancient times.

While it's seen throughout the world due to migration, the surname Arnell is most common today in England, the United States, Australia, and Canada, according to the distribution data from Forebears.io. This surname prevalence is likely due to the large diaspora of Scottish and English people in these countries. The name's concentration is highest in England suggesting that it maintained a strong presence there even after its initial origin in Scotland. It's worth mentioning that the variant spelling of the surname, Arnall, also features the same distribution pattern. Frequency and prevalence of the name may fluctuate over time due to changes in the population.

Variations of the surname Arnell

The surname Arnell is of English origin and is derived from the personal name Arnold, implying "eagle-rule". The name also has implications in Old Norse, Old English, and even French. Therefore, the variations, spellings, and related surnames can be drawn from these influences.

The variants and spellings of Arnell include Arnall, Arnoll, Arnelle, Arnel, Arnelles, and Arnolds. It can also include longer versions like Arnoldson or Arnoldsen following the Scandinavian patronymic tradition. An Americanized version could be Arnelle or Arnold.

Given the ancient influence of Old Norse in Britain, it could be related to surnames like Arnulf or Arnkel, where "Arn" refers to an eagle. Similarly, from the French influence, it can be akin to Arnaud, Arnoux, or Arnault. Translations like Arens or Arentz in German or Dutch can also be linked.

However, tracing exact surnames of the same origin is often challenging due to various historical, regional, and cultural dynamics. The surnames aforementioned should provide a broad idea on potential variations and surnames with similar roots as Arnell. Always consult professional resources for accurate genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Arnell

• Greg Arnell: A well-known British business personality who made significant contributions to the advertising world as a creative director and co-founder of the ‘Arnell Group’.
• Peter Arnell: Similar to Greg, Peter Arnell is a British advertising executive known for his idiosyncratic approach to branding and has worked with organizations like Samsung and Home Depot.
• Jamie Arnell: A British businessman with a background in private equity, who usually keeps a low-profile. He made his fortune in the packaging sector, co-founding the private equity firm Epiris.
• David Arnell: An English footballer who played as a winger in the Football League for Newport County.
• Mark Arnell: A British film producer best known for his work on "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation" and "Edge of Tomorrow".
• Jason Arnell: Co-founder of Santis Consumer Partners, a private equity group specializing in the consumer sector.
• Dorma Jean Arnell: An acclaimed Canadian painter and naturalist, most notable for her work involving aspects of natural history.
• Chloe Arnell: An up-and-coming British actress known for her work in 'The Witcher' and 'Watchmen'. Please note, not all of these figures are necessarily "famous" in the conventional sense, but they have made recognizable contributions within their respective fields.

Other surnames

Arnel