Surname Tell - Meaning and Origin
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Tell: What does the surname Tell mean?
The last name Tell is derived from the Germanic element Telo which means “people”. This name can be found in several other countries as well, such as Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland. Generally speaking, the name Tell denotes someone of strong and solid character.
In Germany, the name Tell is most commonly found in the south of the country, especially in the regions of Swabia and Bavaria. It is likely that this name came to signify a certain characteristic of the people of that region, and is associated with reliability and stability. This name could also refer to someone connected to crafts and construction.
In Switzerland, the Tell surname encapsulates a reference to national hero, William Tell, who lead a rebellion against the Hapsburgs in the 13th century. The Swiss people still highly respect him for his bravery and patriotism.
The Tell name is most notably referenced in French literature. The story of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's, The Little Prince, features a fox which is named Renard, a slight variation of the word Reynard or Renardt, another form of the Tell surname.
To this day, many families around the world bear this proud and noble last name, embodying the characteristics and the spirit of the people it refers to.
Order DNA origin analysisTell: Where does the name Tell come from?
The last name Tell is still very common today, though its distribution may vary greatly depending on the country.
In the United States, Tell is one of the top 3,000 most common last names, with an estimated frequency of about one in 5,400 individuals. It can be found spread across the entirety of the country, though with a slightly higher concentration in the midwest and south. In the United Kingdom, Tell is also one of the top 3,000 most common last names, appearing approximately once every 6,100 individuals. It is also fairly prevalent in Australia, where it is ranked in the top 3,000 with an estimated frequency of one in 6,600.
In its native Switzerland, Tell remains one of the most popular surnames and is thought to have been adopted by many Swiss immigrants upon their arrival in North America. It is also found in many other countries in Europe, usually somewhere within the top 3,000 most common surnames.
Overall, the last name Tell is surprisingly common today, and can be found around the world. From its humble beginnings as a surname derived from a Swiss hero, it has come to be a common fixture in countless surnames lists and directories across the globe.
Variations of the surname Tell
The surname Tell has various variants, spellings, and surnames that originate from the same source. It derives from the Middle High Germanic word “tellen” which means “to count”. As a result, the surname Tell is associated with the occupation of an accountant or a bookkeeper.
The most common variants of the Tell surname are Tale, Teel, Teal, Teil, and Teule. The spelling Teale, Tealoe, and Teilow can also be seen in some parts of Europe.
The explorers of Scandinavian and Germanic countries might have also played a role in changing the spelling of the name. Thus, the name can be seen as Talle or Thal—particularly in the Netherlands and northern Germany—as well as Thale, Tally, and Talley in English speaking countries.
The oldest variation of the surname exists in Germany and Austria. The name therefore, appears as Telle, Tel, Tailleur, Telgen, and Toll. It is also seen as Teleggen, Teller, Till, and Thille.
In some French speaking areas, it can be found as Tellier, Tailleur, Tailard, and Deleau. These variants also exist in other parts of Europe that speak the French language.
Finally, in Russia and Ukraine, you can find the spelling Tello and Telo.
In conclusion, Tell has many variants, different spellings, and related surnames. This is due to its long history that traces all the way back to the Middle High Germanic word “tellen”. Along the journey, the surname has gone through several mutations, hence the different spellings and variations seen in different parts of the world today.
Famous people with the name Tell
- William Tell: Swiss marksman, folk hero of the Swiss people
- Chester Tell: American actor
- Eric Tell: American actor
- Elisa Tell: Italian swimmer
- Robert Tell: American actor
- Frank Tell: American actor
- Bryan Tell: American actor
- Roman Tell: Russian actor 9.erey tell: American film producer
- Peter Tell: Danish soccer player
- Herbert Tell: German lawyer
- Layla Tell: American Instagram celebrity
- Adele Tell: American singer
- Gavin Tell: English actor
- Christian Tell: German actor
- Lucy Tell: Australian actress
- Sebastien Tell: French actor
- Dimiter Tell: Bulgarian actor
- Jack Tell: American television writer
- Hugo Tell: Belgian producer