Surname Norvell - Meaning and Origin
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Norvell: What does the surname Norvell mean?
The surname Norvell is of Scottish origin, specifically from the Old Norse elements "nordfjall", which means "north of the mountain". It is derived from a habitational name from various places in Scotland, such as Norwell in Nottinghamshire and Northwell in Northamptonshire. The origins of the name indicate that it likely belonged to families who lived in or near these regions. It should be noted, however, that the specific meaning of a surname can be difficult to pinpoint accurately as it may have evolved over time, been influenced by various cultural and linguistic shifts, or even been modified by family tradition or personal preference.
Order DNA origin analysisNorvell: Where does the name Norvell come from?
The last name Norvell is a relatively uncommon last name today, but it is most commonly seen in the United States. According to the most recent census data, as of 2018, the last name Norvell is ranked as the 25,447th most common last name in the United States.
The last name Norvell is believed to originate from the Old English word for “north”. This is due to the fact that Norvell is a habitational surname, which means that it is derived from the name of a specific place. It is likely that the Norvell family originated from a small village named “Northwell” somewhere in England.
The last name Norvell is most prevalent in the eastern and southern United States. The states with the highest ancestral prevalence of Norvell include: Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama.
Despite its relative rarity, Norvell is a noteworthy surname as it has been carried by numerous prominent figures in U.S. History. In fact, many Norvells are found amongst the passengers of the Mayflower, suggesting that this family goes back many generations in the United States.
In addition, in the 21st century, the Norvell name is kept alive by various celebrities such as the late actress and stunt woman Robin Norvell, the wife of the former vice president Nelson Rockefeller, Margaretta Large Fitler Murphy “Happy” Rockefeller, and various professional athletes.
Overall, while Norvell is an uncommon name today, it has a deep and storied history in the United States since colonial times.
Variations of the surname Norvell
The surname Norvell is believed to have derived from Old English origin. It is also suggested to be first found in Norfolk. The various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin for the surname Norvell can include: Norval, Norvall, Norvil, Norville, Orvell, Orvill, Orvil, Orvel, Orval, Orvall, Norvell, Norvells, Norvel, Norvile, Norvelli, Norvell and Norvelles.
The variants/spelling Norval has been noticed in the forms of Norvel and Norvell. It was believed to have been changed by the clergy, scribes or a literary influence, who would have modified the spelling of the surname. It can also derive from the Scottish Gaelic form, Mac an Rothaille (Macinrothelly).
Norvil is found mainly in Scotland and it is thought to be a topographical name for someone living near a fortification.
Orvell and Orvill were mainly found in Scotland; it is thought to be derived from Old English from Old Norse.
The variant of Norvells is taken from the Old French word of nuclear or Latin origin, meaning ‘follower of our Lord’ or ‘belonging to our Lord’. It is believed to have derived from the word ‘novel’, which subsequently originated from the Latin word ‘novus’, meaning 'new' or 'fresh’.
Norvile is believed to have derived from the Old French word Meaning ‘very loyal’, while Norvelli and Norvelles are both believed to be derived from the Old French phrase ‘habitat with faith’.
Overall, the surname Norvell and its various variants and spellings are of Old English and Old French origin and could have been changed or modified due to a clerical or literary influence.
Famous people with the name Norvell
- Lee Norvell: Actor, known for roles in Ace in the Hole, The Covenant, and Minor Adjustment
- Tom Norvell: Musician and songwriter from Kansas City
- Steve Norvell: Computer programmer and game designer, best known for computer game Liquid War
- J. Douglas Norvell: Actor, known for roles in Exorcist II, To Live and Die in L.A. and The Mod Squad
- Evan Norvell: Record producer and electronic music artist
- Roger Norvell: Musician, bass player and founding member of the band Bigelf
- Nikki Norvell: Actress who had roles in TV series, included Cry Wolf and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Martha Norvell: Writer and poet
- Eric Norvell: Actor, primarily known for his roles in Star Trek Deep Space Nine and The Young and the Restless
- Robert Norvell: American journalist, film critic and writer, known for his reviews of popular films