Surname Birdsell - Meaning and Origin
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Birdsell: What does the surname Birdsell mean?
The last name Birdsell is of English origin and is derived from Anglo-Saxon personal names. The surname Birdsell is thought to have developed from two sources: the Old English byrcen meaning “crested hill” and sell, an old variant of the word sēol meaning “covered shelter.” It is possible that the Birdsell surname originated as a locational name for an area associated with a prominent hill or sheltered area. The name is believed to have been a homestead name, taken on by the early settlers in England and passed down through generations of the same family.
The Birdsell surname has a long and varied history, having been used the American Revolution in the country’s fight for independence, and later during the Civil War on both the Union and Confederate sides. The Birdsell family have also been active in a number of American institutions and civil causes, including serving in United States Congress, on the Supreme Court, and in a variety of political offices.
The Birdsell name is still fairly common today, and there are many individuals with the surname living throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Birdsells have been successful entrepreneurs, musical artists, politicians, and professional athletes.
The Birdsell family name carries with it a rich history of strength and pride. Over the centuries, members of the Birdsell family have become known for their courage, tenacity, and integrity, making the name an enduring part of the fabric of the American Dream.
Order DNA origin analysisBirdsell: Where does the name Birdsell come from?
The last name Birdsell is most common in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. According to the 2020 US Census, the states with the most Birdsell families are Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. These five states account for nearly seventy percent of the Birdsell population. Interestingly, there are roughly the same number of Birdsells in both Michigan and Ohio, suggesting that the distribution of the last name is somewhat even.
The Birdsell surname originated in England. It is believed to be a habitational name that was derived from the place names in England which bore the name Bordesley or Burdesall. The term "Burdesall" is believed to refer to a place where birds dwell. The Birdsells likely took their name from this location when they were among the many English families who immigrated to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries.
As the last name spread, Birdsells likely settled in the Midwest region. It is possible that the family name was more readily embraced in this region due to the area’s affinity for nature and wildlife.
Today, the last name Birdsell continues to be widespread across the Midwest, and can be found in places beyond the US. Birdsells can be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Birdsell
The surname Birdsell is an English and possibly ancient Saxon surname originating from the medieval names ‘Byrd’ and ‘Sell’. Variants of this surname include Byrdsell, Birdsal, Birdsall, Byrdeall, Byrdesell, Byrdsol, Birdsall, Birdswell, Burdsell, and Byrdsel.
The most prominent alternate spelling of Birdsell, Byrdsol, has its roots from the Old English word ‘Berd’ and ‘Sol’, where Berd meant a Bird or a woodlandrig and Sol meant a hedge or a shelter. This spelling was most likely originated in northern England, reflecting the then-popular practice of denoting a person and the land they held or managed by combining various words into a single name.
The most closely associated surnames to Birdsell include Berd (from the Old English berd, meaning ‘bird’), and Sell (from the Old English sell, meaning ‘carry’ or ‘transport’). Both of these early surnames were used as nicknames for people of any occupation related to bird catching, growing or transporting.
It is believed that the family of Birdsell originates from South Lancashire and Yorkshire, however the name is also established across various English counties from Devon and Cornwall in the south to Yorkshire in the north. The Birdsell surname is also established in other English-speaking countries, in particular the United States, Canada and Australia.
The Birdsell surname is also found in various spellings in different countries. In the United States, Birdsell is sometimes spelled Burdsell or Birdsall. In Australia, the spelling is Byrdeall. Other countries like France, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland have variants of the Birdsell surname.
Overall, the surname Birdsell is a diversely used surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin that reflect a shared history, heritage, and connection among the different families who carry it.
Famous people with the name Birdsell
- Brooke Birdsell, American television host
- Dennis Birdsell, American professional basketball player
- Jimmy Birdsell, American film producer
- David Birdsell, American mayor of Rockport, Massachusetts
- John Birdsell, Canadian historian
- Thomas Birdsell, American politician from Pennsylvania
- Brooke Birdsell-Foster, American football coach
- Brent Birdsell, American missionary, public speaker, and author
- Kimberly Birdsell, American educator
- Mary Birdsell, American activist and advocate
- Shelley Birdsell, Australian visual artist
- E.M. Birdsell, British botanist
- Emil Birdsell, Jr., American Blackfoot artist
- Keith Birdsell, American musician
- Wendy Birdsell, Canadian theatre artist
- Michael Birdsell, American actor
- William Birdsell, American politician
- Martin Birdsell, British participant in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
- Homer Birdsell, American football player