Surname Carrel - Meaning and Origin

Carrel: What does the surname Carrel mean?

Carrel is a surname of Old French origin, it effectively means a "small or enclosed space." Originally, it may have been used as a nickname for someone who was withdrawn or preferred to keep to themselves. It could also represent a small piece of land bordered by hedges. The name was first used during the Middle Ages, a time when the social system was organized around land possession and agriculture. Additionally, the name may have been professional, denoting a person who built or designed such enclosed spaces. Over time, the word 'carrel' later came to refer to a cubicle in a library, maintaining its association with solitude and quiet study. As a surname, Carrel has variations in spellings such as Carol.

Carrel: Where does the name Carrel come from?

The surname Carrel is of Old French origin, derived from the word ‘carrel’ or ‘quarrel’, meaning a short, heavy, square-headed arrow or bolt used in a crossbow. It's likely an occupational surname given to a maker of crossbow bolts.

The Carrel surname is quite common across several countries of Europe, especially in France, where it originates. The United States, due to significant French influence and immigration, also has a notable number of individuals bearing the Carrel surname. Among notable personalities with the surname is French surgeon and biologist Alexis Carrel, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912. As with most surnames, one can find individuals with the name Carrel scattered around the globe due to migration and diffusion, but its highest concentrations remain within France and the United States.

Variations of the surname Carrel

The surname Carrel has different variants and spellings that are used in various regions around the world. Some of these variants include Carrell, Carle, Carral, Carrale, Carales, Carrells, Carrals, Carrels, Carrall, and Carling. It may also appear as Carill, Carrill, or Carroll in certain regions.

It's important to note that these variations can be attributed to many factors such as translation between languages, regional dialects, and transcription errors over time.

For example, the surname Carrel in French culture might have been derived from an old French word "carrel" which means a small plot of land or from "carré" meaning square. It appeared as "Carrel, Carre, Carrell, or Carreau" in ancient French towns.

In terms of spelling variants, it can emerge from phonetic spellings so when names were written as they were pronounced, this resulted in countless spelling variations.

The surnames of the same origin as Carrel could include Kaerell, Karle, Karlen, Kaarle, Kerel, Karell, Carlen, Carleton, Carlin, Carlton, and others. These spellings and variants reflect the diverse and rich history of the Carrel surname.

Famous people with the name Carrel

• Alexis Carrel: He was a French surgeon and biologist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912 for developing a method of suturing blood vessels.
• Jeanne Carrel: She is a French actress, known for her work in films like ‘La belle aventure’ and ‘Le voyage en Amérique’.
• Valentin Carrel: He was a Swiss journalist known for his work during the Italian Risorgimento, advocating for the establishment of a democratic republic in Italy.
• Clifford Carrel: He was a British–Australian author well known for his book “The Immortal: A Novel of the Turbulent Years 1913-1945”.
• André Carrel: He is a French author deemed essential for his literay works, one of his most profound works being “The Day of the Americans”.
• François Carrel: A French mountaineer and journalist who is known for several death-defying ascents.
• Steve Carell: Although his spelling is slightly different, this American actor and comedian is well-known for his role in "The Office" TV series.
• Antoine Carrel: He was a renowned Italian mountain climber and guide.
• Marie-Madeleine Carrel: She is a French documentary filmmaker.

Other surnames

CarreCarrell