Surname Tunnell - Meaning and Origin

Tunnell: What does the surname Tunnell mean?

The surname Tunnell is of English origin, and it has several variations such as Tunel, Tuttle, Tunale, and Tonyl. The root of the name is Old French, derived from the Latin term tunellis, which means "underground tunnel". The term was likely intended to describe someone who lived near a tunnel or a subterranean structure.

The earliest records of the name date to the late 12th century, when a William Tunell was noted in Derby County, England in 1195. The name was popular in the north of England, particularly around Cheshire, with a large number of Tunnell families being recorded in Lancashire in the 18th century.

The Tunnell name has spread far around the world, with families emigrating to the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, the name Tunnell is quite common in the English-speaking world.

The name has also been transformed in various ways to reflect different cultures and religions. For example, in India and Pakistan, the surname has been adapted to Tonoc, a Hindu spelling which likely reflects the ancient origins of the name. Similarly, a Jewish version of the name, Tonil, can be found primarily in Israel today.

Overall, the surname Tunnell signifies an ancient English origin. It is likely derived from the Latin term 'Tunellis', intended to describe someone who lived near a tunnel or underground structure. The name has been adapted in many countries around the world, and is especially common in English-speaking nations.

Tunnell: Where does the name Tunnell come from?

The last name Tunnell can be found today in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the US, the Tunnell name is most closely associated with Pennsylvania, particularly the southeastern part of the state. It also has a substantial presence in California, Virginia, Arizona, and New Jersey.

In the UK, the Tunnell surname is most common in a concentrated area in southern England, from Sussex and Surrey to Kent. The surname was also observed with some frequency in Derbyshire, Essex, and Lancashire.

In addition to these primary strongholds, Tunnell can be found in various other parts of the world. In Australia, the name is not as concentrated, and can be found across the island nation with the greatest concentration in the state of Victoria. Tunnell can also be found in South Africa and New Zealand in lesser amounts.

It is generally accepted that the Tunnell name originates from an old English word meaning “a small valley or depression between two hills.” The Tunnell name was possibly derived from this physical feature, likely when it was being used as a descriptive surname or place-name.

Evidence suggests that the Tunnell surname is quite old, likely 10th century or earlier, and has been found in many early records including those of Joseph Tunnell, a Freeman in Laneham Nottinghamshire in 1262, and Simon Tunnell who was noted in the Somersetshire Subsidy Rolls also in 1262.

Variations of the surname Tunnell

The surname Tunnell is widely used in England and is thought to have derived from Old English. It is particularly associated with the north and south east of England, from Cornwall to Northumberland, with a high concentration in and around the counties of Kent and Devon. The variants, spellings and surnames for Tunnell include:

Tunall, Tunnall, Tonall, Tonel, Tonnal, Tonnel, Tannal, Tannell, Tannall, Tynal, Tunnlle, Tynell, Tinnal, Tinell, Tunel, and Tynel.

The origin of this surname is uncertain, but one possibility is that it derived from a location called Tunhall or Tynhall, or could have been an occupational name, coming from a person who worked at or operated a tunnell—a tunnel, or from a person who made or operated tunnelling tools.

The Tunnell spelling of the surname is one of the most common variations today, followed by Tunnall, and then Tonnel and Tonall. Specific regional variations include Tynal and Tynell in Northumberland and Tunel in Cornwall, while Tonnal and Tannal have been found in Scotland and Tinnal in Ireland.

Tunnell is a rare surname, found mainly in England, and while there are families in other countries who bear the same name, it is very likely that they are either of English origin or at least descended from English immigrants.

Famous people with the name Tunnell

• Willie Thrower: He was the first black quarterback to play in the NFL, and the first to throw a touchdown pass.
• Floyd Tunnell: He was a professional football player who played in the NFL in the 1950’s and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
• Dave Tunnell: He was an American professional golfer who won two PGA Tour events.
• Jim Tunnell: He was an American race car driver who competed in the NASCAR Grand National Series and the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series.
• Ted Tunnell: He was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox.
• Alvin Ray Tunnell: He was a United States Navy Vice Admiral who served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics from 1974 to 1977.
• Robert Tunnell: He was an American politician who served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1977 to 2001 and was a member of the Democratic Party.
• Jim Tunnell Jr.: He is a racing driver who primarily races in Late Models and was co-champion of the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series in 2018.
• Paul Tunnell: He was an American football player in the National Football League who played for the Detroit Lions in the mid-1950's.
• Pat Tunnell: He is an American Christian rock and country music recording artist and singer-songwriter.

Other surnames

Tunnel