Surname Tyrrell - Meaning and Origin

Tyrrell: What does the surname Tyrrell mean?

Tyrrell is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Tiriall", which translates to "man of the land". A north Leinster family name, it dates back to the 12th century and is associated with Irish clans who held power and influence in the region. Some alternative spelling variations include Tyrell and Terrell. The Tyrrells were known for their noble status and held various ranks, including the title of the Baron of Castleknock. There is also an English version of the Tyrrell surname from the Old French "tirel", which came from "tirer", meaning to pull; here the name means stubborn, possibly referring originally to a stubborn or obstinate person. The Tyrrells in England were linked to nobility and notable events in the country’s medieval history. The most notable member of the English lineage was Sir James Tyrrell, who was implicated in the murder of the Princes in the Tower. More recently, the Tyrrell name has also been notably featured in the fictional world of "Game Of Thrones," representing a powerful and well-respected family.

Tyrrell: Where does the name Tyrrell come from?

The Tyrrell surname is most commonly found today in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The United States is home to the highest population of Tyrrell's, with the larger concentrations located on the East Coast, primarily in the suburbs of New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. In the United Kingdom, they are most common in Wales, particularly the areas of South Wales and Glamorgan. Tyrrell's are also concentrated in the Irish counties of Mayo, Leitrim, and Sligo.

The Tyrrell surname is believed to have been brought to England and Wales in the 11th century by Anglo-Saxon settlers, though some historians believe the name dates even further back to the Anglo-Saxon invasions of the 5th century. It is derived from the old English name 'Tyrego' or 'Tiral', which meant 'attack, or 'assault'. By the Middle Ages, the Tyrrell name had become a common English surname, witharounds 1,500 Tyrrells alive in England by the time of the 1881 census.

The name has also spread to other countries, with some Tyrrells living in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, among others. In the United States, the 2000 U.S. Census listed over 8,000 people with the Tyrrell surname, while in the United Kingdom the 2001 U.K. Census revealed more than 1,500 Tyrrells living in the country.

Today there are an estimated 13,000 Tyrrells living in the U.S., and 6,000 in the UK, as well as those around the world.

Variations of the surname Tyrrell

The surname Tyrrell is a variant of the Old French word 'tirel', which translates to 'puller' or 'tug'. It has been used as a nickname for a strong or hardworking person, or as an occupational name for someone engaged in tugging animals by a rope.

Tyrrell is the most common spelling of the surname, but there are many variants. These include Tirrell, Tyrell, Tyrel, Tirel, Tyrelle, Terrill, Terrel, Terrell, Terrill and Tirrill.

In the United States, it is mostly found in states such as New York, (where it ranks as the 638th most common last name), Massachusetts and California.

In the United Kingdom, there are more variants and alternatives still. The most common spelling is 'Tyrrell', but there are also 'Terrell', 'Tirrell', 'Trial' and 'Terral'.

The variants and spelling variations of Tyrrell can be loosely grouped into three main branches. The first are those with the 'Tyr-' prefix (Tyrrell, Tyrrel, Tyrell, Tyrel). The second have the '-er-' prefix (Terrill, Terrel, Terrell, Tirrell). The third have the '-iral-' prefix (Trial, Terral, Tirrill).

No matter the spelling, the surname Tyrrell has a common origin and is derived from the Old French word 'tirel', which was used to describe an industrious or strong person.

Famous people with the name Tyrrell

• Jonathan Tyrrell: American actor
• Billy Tyrell: Canadian ice hockey player
• Tom Tyrrell: English cricketer
• Louisa Tyrrell: English writer
• Sidney Tyrrell: British neurologist and psychiatrist
• Baron Tyrrell of Avon: English politician
• Vince Tyrrell: Northern Ireland-born rugby league footballer
• Jack Tyrrell: Irish football player and manager
• Sir William Tyrrell: British lawyer and former judge
• Alan Tyrrell: Australian motorcycle road racer

Other surnames

Tyrrel