Surname Gell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gell: What does the surname Gell mean?
The surname Gell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily associated with regions in England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name ‘Gelli’ or ‘Gellingas’, referring to the people of ‘Gelli’. It could have been used to identify someone who came from a place called Gelli. However, another interpretation suggests that it might have originated from the ancient Norse word ‘gjallr’ meaning old or aged. This could imply someone who is wise or respected due to age.
In some cases, this surname could also be of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name ‘Gelle’ or the Middle High German word ‘gellen’ which means ‘to yell’ or ‘to shout’. Notably, surnames are often based on occupations, geographic locations, or descriptive nicknames, giving an insight into the profession, location, or personal characteristics of an individual's ancestors.
Despite the various interpretations, the exact origin and meaning of the surname Gell may differ based on regional and familial histories and is subject to historical language changes.
Order DNA origin analysisGell: Where does the name Gell come from?
The surname Gell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, first found in Derbyshire, England. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English term "gella" or Old Norse "gellir," meaning "to shout or bellow."
The Gell family initially followed the Norman invasion in England. The early forms of this surname were recorded as Gella, Gelle, and Gale in the 12th and 13th centuries. The family initially resided at Hopton Hall, and many members of the Gell family played important roles in British history, such as Sir John Gell, a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War.
In the modern day, the name Gell can still be found in various countries, including England, Scotland, Australia, and Canada, and the United States. Its frequency varies from region to region, but it is generally not among the most common surnames. According to Forebears, a surname distribution platform, the surname is currently most frequent in England (particularly in Derbyshire), followed by Australia. Despite its origins and historical significance, the Gell surname does not belong to the list of the most common surnames globally.
Variations of the surname Gell
The surname Gell has a variety of forms due to regional differences, phonetic spellings, and translation between languages. Some variations include Gel, Gelle, Gellie, Gello, Gelley, and Gelli.
The surname could also have origins related to other surnames. For example, it might derive from the German surname Göll or Gelle. Other possible related surnames include the Dutch surname Gel, the Swabian surname Gölle, the Swiss surname Gelli or the Italian surname Gello.
In terms of broader origin, the Gell surname could also be related to the surnames Gillingham or Gillion if the "Gell" form was created through contraction. Conversions from other languages often create surname variants; the Jewish surname Gelman, for example, could be shortened and Anglicized to Gell.
Sometimes the surname Gell might be phonetically spelled as Jell or used interchangeable with Jill or Gill. However, these variants aren't typically directly related to the origin of the 'Gell' surname, and should only be considered potential variants in regions where 'J' and 'G' sounds might be confused.
It's important to note that tracking the origin and variations of a surname is an imperfect science, as spellings changed dramatically over time and depending on region.
Famous people with the name Gell
1.Piotr Gell: Polish politician and singer 2.Maria Gell-Poland's 1st female politician in the country's history 3.Krystof Gell: Polish-American artist 4.Roman Gell-Polish Secure information specialist 5.Rafal Gell: Polish actor and director 6.Michael Gell: British actor 7.Vic Gell: American former professional basketball player 8.Jonathan Gell-British journalist and commentator 9.Alfred Gell-British anthropologist 10.Benedict Gell-British engineer and inventor