Surname Sarrels - Meaning and Origin
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Sarrels: What does the surname Sarrels mean?
The surname Sarrels doesn't have a widely known or accepted meaning. It's not an extremely common surname and doesn't seem to have clear origins in any particular language or culture. Like many surnames, it's likely that Sarrels could have been a variation of another surname or possibly related to an unknown regional or occupational term. It's also possible that the name Sarrels could have originated from a geographical location. However, without more specific historical or genealogical information, the precise meaning and origin of the surname Sarrels remain unclear. In general, it is recommended to research genealogical records or conduct a family history to understand better the origins and meanings of particular surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisSarrels: Where does the name Sarrels come from?
The surname Sarrels is found primarily in the United States and Canada, although it has some roots in Europe too. The United States has the most concentration of people with the last name Sarrels, particularly in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. In recent findings by the US Census, Kentucky is the state with the highest number of people with the last name Sarrels, followed by California and Georgia.
The most significant concentrations of the name in the U.S. are found in the southeast region. Places like Kersey, Georgia; Jefferson County and Knox, Tennessee; Louisa and Raleigh County in Virginia; and Wilson and Wayne County in North Carolina have the highest concentrations. There are also some members of the Sarrels clan in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The presence of the last name in Canada is more sporadic but can be found in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
In Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, the last name Sarrels is not widespread or overly common, but it is still found in England, Scotland, and Wales. According to 2020 census data, the last name is also present in small numbers in other countries around the world including Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Sarrels
The surname Sarrels is an uncommon name of French origin that is derived from the Old French word sarrel, meaning 'forgetful.' Sarrels may also be spelled Sarel, Sarilla, Sarille, Sarles, or Sarls.
Sarrels originally appeared in France in the early 16th century and the name first appeared in the Patronymica Britannica of 1829. The name has spread around the globe with people bearing the surname currently living in the United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Australia, and South Africa.
Variations of the Sarrels surname appear with some families spelling it differently than others. Some common variations include Sarilla, Sarille, Sarles, and Sarilles. Other spellings such as Sarrales, Sorrells, Searles, and Sarlz may also appear.
Surnames associated with Sarrels that often have the same origin include Sarall, Sarill, Sarles, Sarolla, and Sarraz. Similar names include Sarll, Saroz, Sarver, Sarris, Serge, and Sirls.
Some people even identify themselves as Sarrels even if they cannot trace their ancestry back to France as many immigrants who moved to English-speaking countries changed their spelling of the name to sound more like a typical English surname. This is most likely why spellings such as Sorrels and Searls exist.
Finally, some people that have the Sarrels surname may trace their roots all the way back to Scotland, where the surname has been simplified to Surles, carrying the same origin but pronounced differently.
Famous people with the name Sarrels
- Thomas Sarrels; former professional American Football player
- Prentiss Sarrels; actor, model, entrepreneur
- Tom Sarrels; Grammy award-winning gospel singer
- Nancy Sarrels; Broadway actress and choreographer
- Henry Sarrels; journalist and poet
- Chuck Sarrels; former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Paul Sarrels; Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and music engineer
- Diane Sarrels; American author and memoirist
- Rick Sarrels; former professional basketball player
- Steven Sarrels; novelist and short story writer