Surname Arundel - Meaning and Origin

Arundel: What does the surname Arundel mean?

Arundel is an English surname that originates from a place name. It is derived from the town of Arundel in West Sussex, England. The place name "Arundel" itself is believed to have Old English origins, coming from 'hēre', meaning 'army', and 'dell', meaning 'valley'. Therefore, Arundel could be interpreted to mean 'valley of the army' or 'army dell'. The town is known for its medieval castle, which was the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 400 years. The surname is most commonly found in those of English descent but has also spread to other English-speaking countries over the centuries. It's noteworthy that people carrying this name may be connected through bloodline or may have simply inherited the name from the geographic location.

Arundel: Where does the name Arundel come from?

The surname Arundel is of English origin and is derived from the town of Arundel in the county of West Sussex, England. The town's name comes from Old English 'arundel', meaning 'valley of the eagle' or 'valley of the horehound plant'. The name was first given to someone who lived in or around this area. Arundel was a significant surname within the English nobility, it was notably borne by the Earls of Arundel, a title dating back to the 12th century. The frequency of the Arundel surname is now globally dispersed due to emigration, particularly during the time of British colonial expansion. While it remains somewhat common in England, it can also be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Nevertheless, the largest concentration of people named Arundel still resides in the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Arundel

The surname Arundel is derived from a place name in Sussex, England, and has varied in spelling throughout history. Variants and alternative spellings include: Arundell, Arundle, Arundale, Aaronidel, Arundal, Arundell, Arundil, Arondel, Arundale, Arindel, Arindale, and Arindell.

Additionally, an Irish variation of this surname is McNamara, as an Irish family adopted the name Arundel after a marriage into the English Arundel family.

The surname Arundel might also be Anglicized in several ways, including: Harindale, Harrindale, Harandale, or Harandel amongst others.

The rank or title of the family might often be added to the name, such as "Earl of Arundel."

Owing to the extensive history of this name, and its roots in a place name, it's probable there are even more variations and distortions that aren't commonly known or recognized. Especially considering the variety of languages it might have been translated into and back from, including Latin during the period of Roman-Briton history when Latin inscriptions of the place name might have existed.

Famous people with the name Arundel

• Thomas Arundel: An influential English clergyman and statesman who served as Archbishop of Canterbury in the 14th century.
• John Arundel: An English nobleman, soldier, and courtier in the 15th century.
• Matthew Arundel: An English politician from the 17th century.
• Anne Arundel: A 17th century Englishwoman, and the namesake of Anne Arundel County in Maryland, USA.
• Richard Arundel: An English navy officer, participated in the American Revolutionary War.
• Lord Thomas Arundel: A 16th century nobleman, diplomat, and collector of art.
• Philip Arundel: An English footballer.
• Joan Arundel: Wife of John Grey, Viscount Lisle, and a prominent figure in 15th century English nobility.
• Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk and also known as Baron Arundel. He was an English peer and philanthropist of the 19th century.
• Edmund Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent, known as Lord Edmund Talbot and known later as Baron Edmund Arundel, was a British Conservative politician of the early 20th century. Please note that "Arundel" is also a common title in the Peerage of England, with many nobles having the designation "Earl of Arundel".

Other surnames

Arundell