Surname Donell - Meaning and Origin

Donell: What does the surname Donell mean?

The last name Donell is of Irish and English origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name ‘Ó Donnghaile’ and is made up of two elements; ‘donn’ which means ‘brown’, and ‘gal’ which means ‘valor’. Together, these two elements form a name that is symbolic of a brave and proud individual.

The name Donell is found mainly in Ireland and Scotland, but may also be found in other parts of the English-speaking world. In some cases, the name is thought to have been shortened from a longer version, such as Donniell or Dunnell. People with this name are thought to possess great strength, a sense of justice, and an unwavering faith in those they love. They may also be great achievers, creative, and adventurous.

Though the meaning of the name Donell is ambiguous, given its Gaelic origination, it is often associated with justice and loyalty. If you look up the name mile, its meanings are descriptive and can provide insight into the character of someone with this name. It is also important to note that the name Donell has deep roots in Irish culture, with several Donells recorded in Irish history.

The name Donell is a strong moniker and one that carries with it a sense of loyalty and strength. Its roots in Gaelic culture further underscore its importance, and make it a name that is steeped in tradition and history. For anyone with the last name Donell, it is sure to carry a great level of pride and also a sense of responsibility that comes with such a distinguished identity.

Donell: Where does the name Donell come from?

The last name Donell is most commonly found in the United States and in England. In the US, Donell is an uncommon name and can be found mostly in the South, especially in the Southern states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. It is estimated that there are only a few hundred people with the name in the country.

In the UK, the name is much more common. It is estimated there are approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people with the name living in England. The name is believed to have originated in the Northern English county of Yorkshire, but has spread widely throughout England, and can now be found in most major cities.

The Donell surname is likely of Anglo-Saxon origin, with its initial spelling as Donall. It is a combination of the Medieval name Don, meaning "lord" or "chieftain", and the suffix -el, meaning "of". As its etymology would suggest, the surname is likely to have been brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons during their migration to the island.

The Donell surname is more than likely to have been adopted as a surname by members of the Anglican (English and Scottish) nobility, who were often known by the same three-part name. It is believed that the Donell surname was first recorded in 1407 in the records of the King's Bench Court.

Variations of the surname Donell

Donell is a surname derived from the Irish Gaelic personal name Domhnall which means “world mighty”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of Donell include:

-Donel

-Donall

-Donnel

-Donal

-Donnal

-Donel

- Donnell

Due to spelling variations, surnames derived from Donell include:

-Donnell

-Donald

-O’Donnell

-MacDonell

-MacDonald

-MacDonel

-McDonell

-McDonald

-McDonel

-McDonnell

-Macconnell

The Donell family originated in Scotland and Northern Ireland and is associated with Clan Donald, within which the Donell surname is a sept. The earliest recordings of the Donell surname date back to the 14th century in Scotland. Throughout the 16th century, record-keeping became more established, and the Donell family name had spread into Counties Cork and Mayo in the south of Ireland. The Donell surname is still reported in significant numbers in Ireland today, primarily near Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Variants and surnames of Donell are outcomes of the common practice of altering spellings of surnames that were pronounced similarly but spelled differently due to scribal error, separate dialects common to the region, as well as the deliberate systems of assigning surnames used by governments. The presence of the Donell surname in many countries alludes to its spread through immigration or emigration from its original place of origin.

Famous people with the name Donell

• Mark Donell: American actor known for hits such as Pleasantville (1998) and 27 Dresses (2008).
• Lewis Donell: Grammy-nominated R&B musician and producer.
• Sina Donell: American film and TV actress who had her big break in the TV show, Charmed.
• YoungBoy Never Broke Again: American rapper whose birth name is Kentrell Gaulden but later changed to Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, though his stage name remains YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
• Marcell Donell: American professional soccer player who formerly played for the Oakland Roots.
• Clay Donell: founder of 3rd and Goal Foundation, a football and education non-profit organization dedicated to helping inner city youth.
• Dillion Donell: Writer, Producer, and Director of creative projects such as Season 2 of the web series Sprinkle of Glitter and the web series Brazilian Five, which was presented at the Berlin Documentary Film Festival (DOK Leipzig) in 2017.
• Sal Donell: American sculptor and multimedia artist well known for his sculptures made of glass fused with steel and bronze.
• Evan Donell: award-winning Broadway stage actor best known for his leading roles in Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia.
• Caleb Donell: American stylist and celebrity makeup artist known for working with stars such as Nicki Minaj and Janet Jackson.

Other surnames

DonelanDonellyDonelson