Surname Carrell - Meaning and Origin

Carrell: What does the surname Carrell mean?

The surname Carrell is of French origin, derived from the Old Norman word "carrel" or "quarrel," which was a type of crossbow bolt. It was likely originally an occupational name given to a maker of crossbow bolts or perhaps a nickname for someone who used such a weapon. Over time, it adopted various spellings, including Carrell, Carrel, Quarrell, and others. Like many surnames, the meaning has moved away from its original context and now serves primarily as a familial identifier. Apart from this occupational origin, it could also potentially be a locational name from several places in Normandy, called Quarrel. The name was brought to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and from England it spread to other English-speaking countries. It is an uncommon last name overall, but is more frequent in the United States, France, and England. Worth mentioning is Steve Carell, an American actor known for his roles in "The Office" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin", who is a notable bearer of this surname.

Carrell: Where does the name Carrell come from?

The surname Carrell is believed to have originated from France and Ireland. The French version of this surname is associated with a worker or an official of a jail, inferred from the word “carcel” meaning "jail" in French. It could also have derived from the Old French "carrel" meaning "a small, square enclosure." The Irish derivation suggests the name came from the Gaelic O Cearbhaill, which means "hacker", representing a violent person.

In Ireland, the anglicized version of the Gaelic O Cearbhaill became Carroll, and variants of this surname include Carrel and Carrell. In the mid-17th century, many Irish families immigrated to America, Canada, Australia, and England due to the Great Famine, spreading the Carrell surname across the globe.

Today, the surname Carrell is most commonly found in the United States, followed by England, and Australia. Online directories indicate dense concentrations of people with the Carrell surname in Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky in the United States. Despite its Irish roots, the surname is less common in Ireland today. Famous people with this surname include the American actor Steve Carell.

Variations of the surname Carrell

The surname Carrell can have multiple variants and spellings. It could be potentially derived from Irish, English or French origins. Here are some of its variants and similar sounding surnames, although some may have different roots or origins:

1. Carrell - The most common variant. It could also be spelled as Carrel, Carrill, Caroll, or Carrol.

2. Carroll - A related spelling variant. This surname stems from the Gaelic "Cearbhaill" and may also be spelled as Caroll, Carol, Carrol, Carill, or Carall.

3. Carre - A potential French variant. Other possible French variations could include Carré, Carreé, Carreu, or Carria.

4. Carr - A simpler variant that may be of English origin. Similar derivations could include Car, Kare, Kaer, or Karr.

5. Caryl - A rare variant that may also be spelled as Carol, Carel, or Carrol.

6. O'Carroll - In some cases, Irish surnames begin with "O'", indicating "descendant of". Variations could include O'Caroll, O'Carol, or O'Karroll.

Remember that not all people with these surnames will be related or share the same ancestry, as different families sometimes independently adopted similar surnames. There might also be more variants that are not listed here.

Famous people with the name Carrell

• Steve Carell: An American actor, comedian, producer, writer, and director. Carell is widely known for his performances in the comedic films like "The Office," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Despicable Me," and "The Big Short."
• Nancy Carell: An American actress, comedian, and writer. She is also known for her contributions to "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." She is the wife of Steve Carell.
• Elisabeth Anne Carell: The daughter of Steve and Nancy Carell, Elisabeth has made appearances in her father's films such as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World."
• John Carell: Son of Steve and Nancy Carell, John has kept a lower profile compared with the rest of his family and is less involved in the entertainment industry. While the spelling is different, it may be worth mentioning actor Jim Carrey given the phonetic similarity. Carrey is a Canadian-American actor known for his comedic roles in films like "Ace Ventura," "The Mask," and "Dumb and Dumber."

Other surnames

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