Surname Purcell - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling The Ancestral Journey of The Purcell Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test has furnished a detailed ancestral overview related to the surname Purcell. The profound scientific insights rendered, trace back roots to Celtic Ireland, indicating the surname's prevalence in western Europe. The results also suggest genetic traces of Scandinavian ancestry, shedding light on the possible Viking invasions in Ireland, impacting genetic pool of Purcell lineage.

M. Purcell

Purcell: What does the surname Purcell mean?

Purcell is an Anglo-Norman surname derived from the Old French word 'pourcel', which means 'piglet'. This could originally have been used as a nickname for someone with a supposed resemblance to a piglet, either in appearance or behavior. Another theory suggests it may have been a metonymic occupational name for someone who bred or sold piglets. It could also have been a given name at the time turned into a surname. Notably, Henry Purcell was a famous English composer during the Baroque period. As surnames can have multiple origins, the meaning can vary based on the family's historical context.

Purcell: Where does the name Purcell come from?

The last name Purcell is common in many countries around the world today. It originated in Ireland and is more commonly found in Britain, Ireland, and the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the name is particularly common in Wales and England. Purcell is the 1,277th most common surname as of 2018, and the estimated number of British people with the surname was around 27,732. The name is also thought to be derived from France and is common amongst Anglo-Norman and Irish families.

In Ireland, Purcell is the third most common surname in terms of frequency. It is estimated that this name is shared by over 30,000 people in this country alone. The name also has a similar spelling, Piersal, which is common in Northern Ireland. Variations of Purcell are also common, including Purcell, Piersall, and Pürcell.

In the United States, Purcell is the 2,047th most common surname and is found in all 50 states. This name is particularly common in the eastern states, particularly Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. Purcell has been widely adopted throughout North America, and there are estimated to be over 25,000 individuals in the United States that share this name.

Overall, the surname Purcell remains extremely popular in all parts of the world today. With its illustrious Irish heritage, the name is seen in multiple countries worldwide and remains a staple of many cultures around the globe.

Variations of the surname Purcell

The Purcell surname is derived from the Latin term “purcellus”, meaning “little pure one”. It can be spelled using a variety of different variations, such as Purcel, Pursall, Purcales, Pirchell, Percell, Purcal, Percel, Purcelle, Pursell and Purtill.

The variants of the surname can also take on the forms of Perry or Perrie. This is common in countries like Ireland, where Anglicization of traditional Gaelic surnames often occurred.

The other surnames that come from the same root as Purcell are Pierse, Persall, Pursel and Pearsell. These spellings often occurred due to a miss-recording of the original Purcell.

Historically, the Purcell surname has its roots in England, Ireland and Scotland.The Purcell surname is quite common in Ireland, due to its proximity to England.

In North America, the Purcell name is often associated with Canada and the United States. It is believed that the majority of Purcell families in North America are descended from immigrants who came to America in the late 1700s and 1800s.

To conclude, the Purcell surname has numerous variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The widespread appeal of the Purcell name is especially seen in its popularity in North America, as well as the many countries scattered throughout the British Isles.

Famous people with the name Purcell

• Henry Purcell: composer and organist during the Baroque era.
• Kevin Purcell: American professional wrestler better known as Kevin Sullivan.
• Paul Purcell: American casino mogul who founded the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
• Peter Purcell: Australian politician and former Premier of Victoria.
• David Purcell: American country music singer.
• Jeff Purcell: Retired Canadian NHL defenseman.
• Larry Purcell: Crew member and stuntman for various movies.
• Michael Purcell: American actor best known for his work in television and film.
• Edward Purcell: American physicist and Nobel laureate who also worked on the Manhattan Project.
• Tom Purcell: American comedian, writer, and television host.

Other surnames

PurcelPurcelleyPurcelliPurcer