Surname Nethell - Meaning and Origin

Nethell: What does the surname Nethell mean?

The last name Nethell is of English origin and likely derived from the Old English personal name Neat(haw), which is made up from the word neot (a young animal) and the word haw, meaning 'hook or bend.' The name is believed to have originally referred to someone who lived near a bend or a hooked path. It is also possible that the name refers to someone who is both 'cute' and 'clever.'

Over the centuries, the name Nethell has been spelled in various forms, including Nethell, Nethall, Nythel, and Nethill. During the Middle Ages, the Nethell family held a prominent position in their local area. They were known as landed gentry—a wealthy feudal class whose lands and titles were inherited by direct descent.

Today, the Nethell name is still common in England, and can also be found in some other countries, including the United States. Some prominent members of the Nethell family include British Member of Parliament Sir Francis Nethell, as well as the English playwright and poet John Nethell, who wrote several popular theatrical and literary works in the 18th century.

Therefore, the name Nethell is associated with a long and distinguished history, representing loyalty and strength in the face of adversity. It is a line of descent associated with wealth and a place in the upper crust of society.

Nethell: Where does the name Nethell come from?

The surname Nethell is most commonly found within the United Kingdom. In England, Nethell can be found mainly in the counties of Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. However, the surname is also present in locations such as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. In Scotland, it is found mainly in the counties of Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Ayrshire. In Ireland, the surname is found mainly in Ulster and Dublin.

In the United States, the surname is not particularly common. The last US Census reported only 48 people identified with the surname. Of those, only 32 people identified as white, while 16 identified as black. The majority of those who identified with the surname were located in Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, and Texas.

The most common form of the surname today is Netherhill, although there are some variations such as Netherland, Netherwood, and Nethersole. The family line likely originated in the early 16th century, as the last name was recorded in literature as early as 1551.

Variations of the surname Nethell

The surname Nethell has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common forms of the surname are Nethery, Nethre, Nettrell, Nettell, Nettel, Nettle, Neth, and Nethles.

The spelling of Nethell can be found in records as early as the 12th century and is primarily found throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is an Anglo-Saxon surname, derived from the Old English word "neaþelle" which means "low-lying meadow". As the population of these regions expanded, so did their surnames.

The variants and spellings mentioned above are mostly found associated with the Nethery family, who were prominent during the medieval period. It is not clear if they were related, but it appears that many families tracing their ancestry back to the Nethery family adopted the variant spelling of their surname.

Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Nutall, Neadall, Neddy, Needle, Nootle, Nuttrell, Needham, and Netherclift. Some traditional forms of the surname include Nethellwood, Nettleton, Netheryhurst, Netherey, and Nettlewhoite.

In modern times, the variants of the spelling still exist, but are much less common. The most common spelling today is Nethell.

Famous people with the name Nethell

• William Nethell: William Nethell was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1584 and 1614.
• Jodie Nethell: Jodie Nethell is a British singer-songwriter who is best known for her single "Living On My Own": a song she wrote about her own battle with depression.
• Thomas Nethell: Thomas Nethell was a Catholic writer, translator and Biblical scholar in the 17th century. He published a Spanish version of the Bible, which was both historically and technically accurate.
• Alfred Nethell: Alfred Nethell was an English architect in the late Victorian period. He was noted for his eclecticism, often creating designs which combined many different styles.
• John Nethell: John Nethell (1553–1625) was an English Nonconformist minister and theologian. He was noted for defending the cause of Nonconformity during the time of religious upheaval.
• James Nethell: James Nethell (1736–1818) was an English coach builder and innovator. He invented and patented the first mechanical traction wheel, improving the speed of horse-drawn carriages.
• Edward Nethell: Edward Nethell (1771–1845) was an English diplomat who was sent to Ireland to negotiate a peaceful solution during the period of political tumult.
• Margaret Nethell: Margaret Nethell (1820–1904) was an English botanical artist and illustrator who was commissioned to produce numerous botanical illustrations for best-selling books of the era.
• Henry Nethell: Henry Nethell (1858–1932) was an English clergyman who became a renowned hymn-writer and composer. His works are still in use in many churches today.
• Alexander Nethell: Alexander Nethell (1878–1960) was an English soldier who fought in World War I. He was decorated for bravery and later awarded the Victoria Cross for heroism.

Other surnames

NetherwoodNethery