Surname Seal - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring My Enigmatic Past with iGENEA: A Tale of the Seal Surname
Dive into the unexpected journey into my past, as the iGENEA DNA test unveiled surprising secrets about my surname Seal.
R. Seal
read moreSeal: What does the surname Seal mean?
The surname Seal is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word "saele," meaning "hall." This indicates that the original bearers of this name likely lived in or were associated with a hall, manor, or large estate. Over time, variations of the name emerged, including Seale, Seales, Seel, Seels and many others.
This name may have also evolved as an occupational surname for someone who was a professional seal maker or a person who was in charge of important documents that needed to be sealed. During the Middle Ages, seals were used to authenticate documents in the absence of widespread literacy, and those who made or managed these seals held a significant position.
The surname Seal is found mainly in England but spread to other parts of the world through British emigration. Although relatively uncommon, it has various notable bearers, such as the British musician Seal (Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel). Regardless of its specific origin, surnames like Seal serve as a connection to the past, providing a link to the lives of our ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSeal: Where does the name Seal come from?
The surname Seal is most commonly found today in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. In the United States, people bearing the Seal surname can be found mainly in the South and the Midwest. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 25,764 people had the Seal surname in 2020.
The Seal surname is thought to have Anglo-Saxon origins, likely derived from a place name. It is also believed to have roots in Norse and Gaelic countries, and to be derived from the word "saer," meaning "craftsman."
In the United Kingdom, the Seal surname is found more in the Midlands than anywhere else, though it is still rather widely distributed throughout the country. According to Ancestry, there were an estimated 13,614 people bearing the Seal surname in 2020.
In Canada, the Seal surname is most common in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Statistics Canada estimates that there are about 4,139 people with the Seal surname.
The Seal surname is also found in other countries around the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and India.
Overall, it appears that the surname Seal is most common today in countries of the English-speaking world, primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Seal
The Seal surname is an old common name of English toponymic origin, derived from either the town of Seal in Kent, or from residence near a geographical feature such as a lake or stream called a “seal.” The Seal surname is found principally in England, but can also be found in other countries around the world as a result of migration from England.
Variant spellings of the surname Seal include Seale, Seall, Sealle, Seel, Seell and Siel. Additional, less common variants include Seale, Seall, Seel, Sehell, Seill and Seyall.
Alternate surnames of the same origin include Sealler, Seeler, Sealer, Seallers, Seelers and Sealers.
The Seal surname is also used as a given name. Variants of the given name Seal include Seale, Seall, Sealle, Seel, Seeler, Sehell, Seill, Seyall, Seely and Sealy.
Famous people with the name Seal
- Seal, real name Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, a British singer-songwriter
- Heidi Klum, German model and businesswoman who was previously married to Seal
- Chris Seal, British broadcaster and television personality
- Jonathan Seal, English professional footballer
- Jada Seal, American professional basketball player
- Masood Seal, Bangladeshi cricketer
- LaMonte Seal, American football player
- Urs Seal, Swiss alpine skier
- Miles Seal, Canadian ice hockey player
- Charlotte Seal, Canadian rhythmic gymnast