Surname Harrelle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Harrelle: What does the surname Harrelle mean?
The surname Harrelle does not have a specific, universally accepted meaning as it has multiple possible origins. Some sources suggest it is derived from the English and Scottish personal name Harold, which comes from the Old English name Hereweald, meaning ‘army ruler’. Other sources imply it’s derived from a topographical surname for someone who lived by a patch of ancient woodland, from the Old English words "har", meaning grey, and "hyll", meaning hill. Others believe it could have derived from the name Harwell, a habitational name from places in Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire, named in Old English with "hoer", a type of stony soil, plus "well(a)" a spring or stream. Lastly, Harrelle could have originated from the Hebrew name Harrell, meaning ‘God protects'. Overall, specific meanings of surnames can be complex due to changes in spelling and language over time, as well as differences in regional interpretations and derivations.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrelle: Where does the name Harrelle come from?
The last name Harrelle is of English origin. The surname is a derivative of 'Herle', and is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived on a hill, or a territorial name from different places in England. This name referred to "someone who lived by a hare wood, i.e., a grove or thicket frequented by hares".
The surname has experienced several spelling variations over the years, including Harrell, Hurrell, Horrell, and others.
Today, the Harrelle last name is not very common, but when it does occur, it is often found in the United States. If we delve into various US public records and databases, we can find that the Harrelle surname is somewhat prevalent in states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. However, given global mobility and migration trends, bearers of the Harrelle surname can be found across various parts of the world, though the density remains relatively low.
Variations of the surname Harrelle
The surname "Harrelle" could have several variants and spellings depending on the cultural and geographical context. Some of these include Harrel, Harrell, Harrelson, Harrold, Haralson, Harold, Harrod, Herrell, Hurrell, Harral, Harrall, Harrale, Harrolle, Harel, Herrol, and Herrall.
In some cultures, surnames are also often changed or modified over generations due to migration or to make them sound more local. This can result in slight differences in the letter placements or pronunciations, however, the name still retaining its essence. In other cases, it is common to add '-son' at the end of the surname to denote 'son of', signifying lineage. For example, Harrelson means son of Harrel.
Furthermore, the surname Harrelle could be related to any of the several topographical features which could denote where the original family lived like a hill, dell, or brook. The name could also stem from an ancestor's occupation. It's also worth noting that converting surnames into nicknames is not uncommon, adding a gentle touch or depicting an affectionate element within. So shorter sounding names like Hari or Harold could also be linked.
Famous people with the name Harrelle
- Kofi Siriboe: American actor best known for his role in the movie Girls Trip and his work on the television show Queen Sugar.
- Justin Harrell: American former professional American football player who was a defensive tackle with the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League.
- Joe Harrell: American artist and best known for his paintings of the south.
- Robert Harrell: Retired National Football League player who played running back for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys.
- Buddy Harrelle: Professional American football player who was a tackle with the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League.
- Wesley Harrelle: American actor best known for his role as Malcolm Wilkerson in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle.
- Thomas Harrelle: American actor who is best known for his role in the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
- Kenneth Harrelle: Retired American professional baseball player who was a pitcher with the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball.
- Todd Harrelle: American producer and Emmy Award-winning film and television composer.
- Christie Harrelle: American actress best known for her role as Leigh Thomas on the sitcom The Golden Girls.