Surname Nowel - Meaning and Origin

Nowel: What does the surname Nowel mean?

The surname Nowel is of English origin and originally derives from the medieval personal name Nowell, which is of religious significance. It is associated with the French word "Noel" which translates to "Christmas" in English. This name was often given to children who were born or baptized during the Christmas season. The name is therefore suggestive of joy and celebration. In some cases, it may have been adopted by someone who played the role of 'King of the Christmas Revels' in the local community. It is also known to be a variant spelling of the surname Nevill. However, the specific meaning of surnames can be difficult to ascertain with complete accuracy due to the shift and evolution of languages and naming traditions over time. Across generations, the name Nowel has been passed down, creating familial identifiers and connections to ancestral heritage. As with many surnames, it is likely that different families with the name Nowel may not share a common origin or meaning.

Nowel: Where does the name Nowel come from?

The last name Nowel is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was first found in Derbyshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Nuhel," "Nuwel," or "Nouel," which means "new hall." This name was often bestowed upon individuals who lived in or were associated with new halls or manor houses.

The surname began to spread throughout England during the Middle Ages. However, the Nowel surname isn't particularly common today. Some bearers of this surname may be found in the United States, England, and Australia. It is worth noting, that the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times. Therefore, similar names like Noel, Newell, Noell, Nole, and others might be related or could easily be variations of the original name based on phonetic transcriptions over centuries and across regions. Regardless of spelling patterns, these names share similar origins and meanings.

Variations of the surname Nowel

The surname Nowel, a variant spelling of Noel, originated from the personal name Noel associated with Christmas season and derived from the French "noël" meaning "Christmas". Different variants of the surname emerged over time as the result of misspellings, phonetic changes, and regional influences.

Variations and analogous surnames include:

1. Nowell: This is perhaps the most common variant of Nowel. It is often used interchangeably with Nowel.

2. Noel: This variant, which also means "Christmas" in French, is common in various English and French-speaking communities.

3. Nole, Noll, Knowell: These are less common alternatives that stem from similar phonetic spellings.

4. Naule, Naull, Nawl, Nawell: These variants emerged as a result of varying transcriptions or dialectal pronunciations.

5. Noël: The most common spelling in French-speaking countries, which includes an accent mark over the "e".

Traditionally, surnames were not consistently spelled in the same way, so these variant spellings did crop up frequently through history. These spellings could also presumably be influenced by the translation of these names across different languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Nowel

• Lauren Noelle, actress
• Melinda Nowell, model
• Mei Nowel, model
• Alexander Nowel, musician
• Steven Nowel, musician
• Torrey Nowel, singer-songwriter
• Ross Nowel, comedian
• Emile Nowel, entrepreneur
• Ray Nowel, athlete
• Milan Nowel, artist

Other surnames

NowellNowels