Surname Birrell - Meaning and Origin

Birrell: What does the surname Birrell mean?

The surname Birrell is a Celtic surname originating in Scotland, and is mainly found in the county of Angus. The name is derived from two Gaelic words, ‘Bior’ which means ‘point of a spear’ and ‘Al’ which means ‘rock’. Together these words were combined to create a namesake that refers to a settlement on a rocky outcrop overlooking a river or loch.

In Scotland, Birrell was widely used as a habitational name for someone from Berwickshire, a county located in the eastern part of Scotland, bordering Northumberland in England. Beyond these geographical origins, the surname of Birrell has acquired a number of other connotations over time. For instance, in some cases it has come to mean an intensely loyal house protector, or a battle-hardened warrior.

In the modern age, the Birrells have come to have a reputation for always being there when needed. They are often seen as a stalwart, reliable presence who can be relied upon to be steadfast in times of trouble. And, as communities strive for progress, the Birrells are respected for their independent streak and their willingness to take decisive action.

As such, the last name of Birrell carries with it a proud history and a communal pride that continues to this day. It is a name that will remain close to many hearts and whose legacy is sure to be passed down for generations to come.

Birrell: Where does the name Birrell come from?

The last name Birrell is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. Records show that its earliest known recording was in the early 1200s in Scotland, suggesting that Birrell is of Scottish origin.

Birrell is most concentrated in Scotland, with the highest numbers found in the Midlothian region. It is also well represented in the south-west of Scotland and Northern Ireland, suggesting that the name may have travelled across the Irish Sea.

In more recent times, Birrell has spread throughout the UK, but has not become extremely widespread. The 2011 census revealed that the highest numbers of people with the Birrell surname were in Greater London and the West Midlands, followed by Lancashire in north England.

The Birrell name has also made its way to the United States, largely wiping across the Atlantic in the 19th and 20th centuries. Birrells are now concentrated in states such as Louisiana, Massachusetts and Utah.

Further afield, Birrells are found in other countries such as Canada and Australia, and there are even a few families living in South Africa.

Ultimately it can be seen that the Birrell name is most commonly associated with the United Kingdom, and is still used by many people today.

Variations of the surname Birrell

Birrell is an old English and Celtic surnamed derived from the Old Norse "Birgetr". It is most commonly found as a surname in Ireland, where it was sometimes anglicized as "McBirr". Other variants of the surname include Birrel, Berill, Beirill and Bierell.

In northern England, the surname is also sometimes spelled Byrrill. Byrrill and Birrill are both derived from the Middle English "burrel", meaning "little one". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was small in stature.

In some parts of England, the name Byrrill has become Barry, while in Scotland and Ireland, the name is found as Birrell. Variants of this name also exist in the US and Canada, where they are generally spelled "Burrell" or even "Berrell".

Birrell is also an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O' Birghil, which means "descendant of Birghil", a personal name derived from the Old Norse term "Birgetr".

In the United States, the name is sometimes anglicized as Birrell, Byrrell, Berrell or Burrell, while in Canada, some of the more common spellings are Birrel, Beirill and Bierreill. Other spellings of the name in the United States include Birell, Byrrill, Byril, and Birel.

The surname Birrell is most commonly found in Scotland, England, Ireland, the United States and Canada, though it is also found in other countries when anglicized.

Famous people with the name Birrell

• Nicola Birrell, children's author and journalist
• Robert Birrell, demographer and academic
• Amy Birrell, professional tennis player
• George Birrell, Scottish footballer
• Richard Birrell, actor
• David Birrell, theatre and television actor
• Jamie Birrell, Scottish motor racing driver
• Kenneth Birrell, British soldier
• John Birrell, Scottish actor
• Meg Birrell, Australian social justice advocate and award-winning actor

Other surnames

Birrenbach