Surname Angell - Meaning and Origin
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Angell: What does the surname Angell mean?
The last name Angell is of English and French origin. It is derived from the personal name Angel, which is from the Greek 'angelos' meaning a 'messenger'. The name was introduced to England by the Normans during the conquest and it became popular due to its association with the Christian reverence of angels. Moreover, in the Middle Ages, Angel was an extremely common given name amongst Jews. Hence, while the surname Angell is widespread in Britain, in some cases it could also be an Anglicized form of a similar sounding Ashkenazi Jewish last name. It could also have originally been a topographic name for someone who lived by a particular patch of land, since in old English 'angell' meant a sort of meadow or open wood. Therefore, the surname Angell has multi-dimensional origins, correlating to cultures across Europe, and bearing both religious and topographic connotations.
Order DNA origin analysisAngell: Where does the name Angell come from?
The surname Angell is primarily of English origin with strong roots in the medieval period. It is derived from the old English pre 7th Century "oengel" and the old French "angele" which means angel. Initially, it was a nickname given to a gentle or lovable person or to a person who played the important role of an angel in the popular medieval mystery plays.
The surname is popular amongst the British and is also common in America. Early emigrants transported the name to America, specifically to the New England area, during the 17th Century. The anglicization of variances in other languages have also led to the Angell surname cropping up in other countries such as Germany and Belgium. However, the majority of the bearers of the Angell name today are found in the United States and the United Kingdom. Other countries with higher prevalence of the surname include Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. With the broad diaspora of English and other Western European peoples, the Angell surname can also pop up in places all over the world.
Variations of the surname Angell
The surname Angell is believed to have originated from England and is derived from the Greek angelos, meaning "messenger". Variations and spellings of Angell can include Angel, Angelle, Angelll, Anggel, Anngel, Anngell, Anngelle, Anggel, Anggell, Angger, Angelle, and Angells.
In certain instances, the surname may have been influenced by the given name or nickname Angel, which could then also lead to other variations based on respective cultural naming practices.
Similarly, surnames such as Engel (German), Angelo (Italian), Angelov (Bulgarian), and Ángel (Spanish) might also be considered related due to the shared "messenger" or "angelic" meaning.
Angell is also found as a surname variant in parts of Scandinavia, including Norway and Denmark.
Furthermore, it's important to note that phonetic similarities can often lead to mistaken correlation between surnames from vastly different origins. Due to variations in language, regional dialects, and individual handwriting, the recording of surnames has historically been susceptible to misinterpretation or change.
Famous people with the name Angell
- Roger Angell: This author, editor, and essayist is well-known in the world of baseball for his contributions to The New Yorker.
- Norman Angell: A British politician and author, Angell won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1933.
- James Rowland Angell: A significant figure in psychology, Angell served as the president of Yale University.
- Caroline Angell: An American director, writer, and composer.
- David Angell: A producer of TV shows like Cheers and Frasier, Angell tragically died in the September 11 attacks.
- Callie Angell: This American film scholar specialized in the work of Andy Warhol.
- Ernst Angell: A German explorer, professor, and writer.
- Alexis Angell: A former U.S. District Court judge, Angell served in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Kacey Ainsworth: Although not Angell by name, this British actress used the stage name Kacey Angell in the early stages of her career.
- Ted Angell: He was a college football player and later served as the head coach for Beloit College and Knox College.