Surname Sell - Meaning and Origin
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The iGENEA Test: Unveiling New Dimensions to My Surname 'Sell' and my Familial Identity
The discovery of my ancestral DNA through the iGENEA test has transformed my perception of my surname, Sell, and my family identity. The revelation of my origins being traced back to the Germanic tribes has added surprising depths to my understanding of my family name and our shared history.
B. Sell
read moreSell: What does the surname Sell mean?
The last name Sell is of Germanic, Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the word ‘sellan’ meaning ‘to give’ or ‘to offer’. The name is most likely derived from a surname given to someone who would often give and offer goods and services, such as a merchant or trader.
The Sell surname is found in records dating back to both of the world wars and was originated in England and Germany. In England in the Middle Ages, both the Sells and the Sellers, a variation of the surname, were found across the country, from Yorkshire to Somerset. In early German records, Sell is an occupational name, meaning that it was used by someone who performed a certain trade.
Those with the Sell surname have been found in all parts of the world. The earliest record of the Sell name dates back to 1820 in Pennsylvania, where Johann Adam Sell settled in Easton. Since then, there have been mentions of the Sell name across the United States, including Ohio, California and North Carolina. The Sell surname has spread across Europe, from Spain to Russia, and Australia and Canada.
Today, those with the Sell surname still find themselves in a variety of occupations, from merchants to mechanics. The Sell surname, however, also carries with it the historical meaning of the act of giving and offering, no matter the trade.
Order DNA origin analysisSell: Where does the name Sell come from?
The last name Sell is a common surname found throughout a variety of cultures. It's most commonly found throughout Europe and the United States. In Germany, the Sell surname is favored in the southern regions including Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In the United States, the Sell surname is mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania, where it's the fifty-sixth most common surname. It can also be found in other states such as Maryland, Ohio, Indiana and Virginia. This surname is also particularly common in counties throughout the United Kingdom.
The origin of the Sell surname is often disputed, but it probably derives from an occupational name or place name. Some believe that the name Sell originated as a shortened form of the Germanic personal name Siegfried. Others suggest that the surname Sell may have derived from a job held by an ancestor, such as a seller or salesman. It's also possible that the surname Sell is derived from a place name, such as the village of Sellau in Silesia, Germany.
The Sell surname is also found in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Overall, Sell is an uncommon but globally widespread surname found in Europe, North and South America, Australia and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Sell
The surname Sell is a relatively rare German and English name, derived from an old English term meaning "one who traffics, sells." Variations of the surname include Sell, Selle, Sellers, Sela, Sellar, Selleck, and Selleck.
The German spelling of Sell is "Selle," and can be altered to the form of Sellmann, Sellier, Sellen, Sellett, Sellwitz and Sellersdorf.
In English, Sell can be spelled "Sellers" or "Sellar," and can be changed to Sellen, Sellar, and Sellersdorf. Sellers and Sellar are also occasionally found as hyphenated surnames, either as Sellers-Sell or Sellar-Sell.
The suffix "-er" is sometimes added to the Sell surname, as in Sellers or Sellard. This suffix, which is commonly found in German surnames, simply implies an occupation, such as someone who was a seller or seller of goods. This is in contrast to the "-ar," which is sometimes added to Sell, which implies that the person was usually of a higher economic status.
Surnames derived from Sell include Sells, Sellens, Selley, and Selliard. These variations of Sell are thought to have derived from a similar branch of Sell, but their exact origins are uncertain.
All in all, Sell is a relatively rare surname that has a multitude of variant spellings, indicating regional and ethnic differences. Some of these variants are to reflect certain occupational variations and others to reflect personal preferences.
Famous people with the name Sell
- Arthur Sell: A former American professional volleyball player who was part of the gold medal winning U.S. team at the 1983 Pan American Games.
- Chris Sell: An American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Clemens Sell: An Austrian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for SV Horn.
- Christopher Sell: A British long-distance runner who competed in the 3000-metre steeplechase.
- Derek Sell: An American professional beach volleyball player who was part of the 2007 AVP Tour.
- Dudley Sell: An English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Worcestershire between 1919 and 1924.
- Harry F. Sell: An American soldier who was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in World War II.
- Janice Sell: An American freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Johnny Sell: An American professional wrestler who competed in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Rich Sell: An American immunologist and biochemist who is known for his work in autoimmunity and cancer.