Surname Tyrrel - Meaning and Origin

Tyrrel: What does the surname Tyrrel mean?

The last name Tyrrel is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the Middle English personal name Tirrell. It is derived from the Old French name Tirel, which is believed to have originated from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements “thorn” and “rule”.

In its earliest appearances, the surname Tirrell was found in medieval documents throughout England and Ireland. In Suffolk, Tyrrell appears as early as the 12th century, while Tyrrell is found in Scotland from the mid-13th century. Reports of its use in Ireland, however, can only be found from the 16th century.

The Tyrrell surname is most commonly found in counties Cork, Galway, Mayo, and Antrim of Ireland, as well as Middlesex and Kent in England. Scottish references to the surname include Aberdeenshire, Fife, and Wigtown. It is also reported to be used in other countries as well, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Although the exact meaning of the Tyrrell surname is unclear, it is commonly accepted as having an association to the concepts of “fidelity” or “loyalty”. This is believed to have been due to its derivation from a Germanic personal name, which was likely to have been given to someone having these character traits. Additionally, independent research has suggested specific Tyrell families had strong religious ties, which might also have had an influence on the surname's evolution.

Tyrrel: Where does the name Tyrrel come from?

The last name Tyrrel is mainly found in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. In the UK, the name mostly originates in Hampshire, particularily in and around Southampton, Northam and Bourne on the south coast, as well as in the nearby Isle of Wight. In the US, the surname can be primarily found in the states of Florida, California, Texas and New York. In Australia, Tyrrels are located predominantly in New South Wales, as well as in other eastern states.

It is believed that the Tyrrel surname was introduced to the British Isles by the Normans in the 11th century. It is believed to originate from one of two different sources. It may have been derived from the Germanic personal name "Tirél", which is composed of the elements "tir" (meaning "glory") and "hild" (meaning "battle"). Alternatively, it may have been derived from the personal name Thréal, which is derived from the Old Norse "Þrjáll", meaning "wolf".

The current geographical distribution of the Tyrrel surname indicates a complex evolution of regional concentrations during the past millennium. In the United States, the Tyrrel surname may have gained presence partly as a result of migrations from the United Kingdom during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Australia, the name was also likely introduced by migrants from the British Isles, although many may have arrived with the huge Irish migration during the 19th century.

Variations of the surname Tyrrel

The surname Tyrrel or Tyrell is an ancient English surname that can be dated back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word ‘tirel’, meaning one who follows or accompanies, and was used in feudal times to describe a supporter of a feudal lord. Today, the primary variants of Tyrrel are Tyrell and Tyrel, and there are also a number of anglicized spellings, such as Terrill, Terrell, Terrel, and Terrall.

In Scotland, this surname is sometimes rendered as Gerald, as this spelling was first found in Scotland in the border counties of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire. In Ireland, the Tyrrel spelling is often anglicized as Farrell, O'Farrell or O'Ferrall, which is the Irish version of the surname.

In the United States, the number of people bearing the surname Tyrrel has greatly increased, and the spelling of the surname is also now often anglicized as Terrell, Julie or Jewell, as well as Terrill, O'Terrall, Tarrel, Terral, and Torral.

The spelling of the surname has also undergone some significant changes in other countries. In Australia, it is most often spelled as Tyrell, while in New Zealand, the traditional spelling is ter Rill and in Canada it is often spelled as tyrrell.

In conclusion, the surname Tyrrel and its variants have undergone a great many changes over time, and there are now a variety of spellings, forms and surnames related to it.

Famous people with the name Tyrrel

• Toby Tyrrel: British businessman and former owner of the West London club QPR.
• Lancelot Tyrrel: British medieval knight and a trusted follower of King Henry II.
• Adam Tyrrel: Gaelic Irish monarch who ruled from 1175 to 1210.
• Sir John Tyrrel: English knight and Baronet who fought in the Battle of Agincourt.
• William Tyrrel: British colonial settler who helped found the original province of Maryland.
• George Tyrrel: English astronomer, natural philosopher, and geographer.
• Andrew Tyrrel: English baronet and Member of Parliament.
• Michael Hogan Tyrell: Irish artist and illustrator.
• Edith Tyrrel: British economist and first woman to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Economic Society.
• Mark Tyrrell: American actor and writer.

Other surnames

Tyrrell