Surname Nall - Meaning and Origin
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Nall: What does the surname Nall mean?
The surname Nall has roots in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. It is a place-based surname that originally referred to someone who lived by the hall or large residence, derived from the Old English word "heall," meaning 'hall.' Over time, it has changed in spelling and pronunciation, leading to various forms like Nall, Neall, Neale, and Neal among others. The Nall family lived in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is also possible that some bearers of the surname Nall may have Norse or Celtic origins due to cross-cultural interactions over the centuries. Like other surnames, tracking its exact origin is challenging because surnames were passed down informally initially, becoming legally mandated only after the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisNall: Where does the name Nall come from?
The surname Nall is of English origin, with its earliest records found in the West Midlands region of England. The name is derived from the Old English word ganohsal, meaning one who lives in or near a valley, and is associated with the area now known as the Northamptonshire-Warwickshire border. In the present day, the surname can be located predominately in the United Kingdom, especially in the English Midlands.
Population records indicate that the surname is especially prevalent in the Staffordshire area in England, with notable concentrations located in Birmingham, Walsall, Tipton, and Burton upon Trent. It is also present in numerous other locations outside of England, such as Germany and the United States. In the US, Nalls can be found around the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, particularly in the Appalachian mountain region. In the most recent US census, there were over 1,300 individuals with the Nall surname, the majority of which were located in the southeastern states.
Despite its English origin, the name Nall is spread across the world today, showing its longevity and adaptability.
Variations of the surname Nall
The surname Nall has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most commonly used variant is Nall, which is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Nall," which is a personal name derived from the Old Norse name Niall. Other possible variants include Nalle, Neall, Neal, and Neill.
Other potential spellings are Nahl, Naill, Naile, Nayl, and Nyle. Variant spellings for the surname Nall are Nibb, Nieb, and Nub. Additionally, there are a few surnames which have derived from the surname Nall, including Naal, Naale, Nealle, Neilson, Nelson, and Neil.
In some cases, the surname Nall can be found as a prefix to other surnames, such as Nallerton, which was a placename in Durham that became the surname of those living nearby. It may also be found as a suffix to names, such as Morden-Nall.
The name Nall has been found in many places, with those bearing that surname originating from Ireland, Britain, the United States, Canada, and even South Africa. There are numerous records of individuals bearing the surname Nall during the 16th and 17th centuries, providing evidence for its long-standing use in multiple countries.
Famous people with the name Nall
- Bill Nall: American actor whose credits include several films, TV shows, and video games.
- Stephen Nall: Producer of documentaries that have screened at film festivals around the world.
- Bruce Nall: American attorney who is a partner in the Minnesota-based law firm Nall & Miller.
- Stuart Nall: Art collector and owner of multiple galleries in New York City and Miami.
- Jill Nall: American sculptor whose work has been featured in galleries throughout the United States and Europe.
- Laurie Nall: Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter.
- Phil Nall: English former professional footballer who played over 500 games in his career.
- Dave Nall: American tennis coach and former player who competed in the USTA Adult National Championships.
- Jacky Nall: Author, editor, and contributing columnist to several national and international publications.
- Lyle Nall: Best known for the creation of the Super Bowl shuffle in which he choreographed, performed, and later became credited for the video release.