Surname Newell - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA Journey: Unfolding the Celtic Threads of my Surname, Newell

Venturing into the lineage of my surname, Newell, through iGENEA's DNA testing, was a riveting experience. With revelations of my Irish descent and connections to Celtic knights, the testing expanded my understanding of family history and enhanced my sense of identity and interconnection.

N. Newell

Newell: What does the surname Newell mean?

The last name Newell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it primarily originates from Britain and Ireland. It is derived from the Middle English word "nowel" or "nouel", which means "new" or refers to the "new hall". This suggests that it may have originally been given as a nickname to someone who either lived in or was in some way associated with a newly constructed hall or dwelling. This name may also be locational, named after a place such as Newhall in Derbyshire and Warwickshire, or Newcastle in many places in Britain. Variations in the spelling of the last name can include Newall, Newill, and Nowell. Furthermore, in Scotland, the surname Newell is believed to be a transformation of the MacDougall variant, McDowall, or the less common MacDowell. As a surname, it has been prevalent since the early 13th century. Today, the surname Newell is found around the world due to the diaspora, particularly in the United States, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Australia.

Newell: Where does the name Newell come from?

The last name Newell is most common in the United States today, although it is also found in other countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada.

In the United States, the name is most frequently found in the Midwest and the mid-south. Its highest concentrations are in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The heartland states of Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska also claim many Newells.

In addition to these places, Newell is occasionally found in New England (Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine). It’s also prevalent in some of the bordering states such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The rest of the United States shows much smaller numbers, but someone with the surname Newell could still be living nearly anywhere in the country.

Beyond the United States, the surname Newell is occasionally found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. It is also present in smaller numbers in South Africa, Germany, and France.

Overall, the last name Newell is spreading among many locations and continents, and it will likely continue to grow in prevalence in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Newell

The surname Newell is derived from the Old English surname "Nehwell" which means "from the new spring". It is found in various areas of England and Wales, and is very rarely found in the United States. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include:

Newhall

Nuwell

Nowell

Nuell

Noweill

Nowell

Nywell

Newal

Neevell

Nowely

Noall

Newally

Newill

Novelle

Newell is quite a common surname, with many variations and spellings. It has also been adopted in some other countries; in Ireland it is sometimes spelled "Nihill". Other variations of the name include Newels, Newall, Nihill, and Nool.

In Scotland, the surname is sometimes spelled Neill, Niell, or Neil. In the United States, the most common spelling of the surname is Newell, yet variants such as Nill, Nuell, and Noely are also common.

Newall is often seen as a patronymic form of the surname Newell, which means 'son of Newell'. People with the surname Newall may have originally been from the town of Newall in Orkney, Scotland.

Nuell is a variation of the Old French surname Nouel or Nouvel, meaning ‘new’. People with this variant are most likely of French origin, having settled in England in the 12th century.

Noel is a variant of the Old French name Noël, which is derived from noel meaning ‘christmas’. It is a rare surname in England and Wales, with fewer than 3 thousand people having the surname.

It is also important to note that although there is no definitive evidence, some sources cited Newell as the family name originating from the 'Newell' clan which played a pivotal role in the Scottish rebellion in 1608.

Famous people with the name Newell

• Adrian Newell: musician and founding member of the American alternative rock band ‘Big Head Todd and The Monsters’.
• Charles Newell: professor and artistic director of the Court Theatre at the University of Chicago.
• David Newell: actor best known for his role as Mr. McFeely on the U.S. children’s television series, ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.’
• Doug Newell: retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings.
• Ezra Newell: American silent film actor and director of the 1920s and 1930s, best known for his role as the Chaplin-esque Charlie Dodo in the 1922 film ‘Constantinople’.
• Francis Newell: silent film actor of the 1910s and 1920s best known for his role as Joe Ballard in the 1919 drama ‘The Fighting Hope’.
• James Newell: businessman and former president of the Diebold Corporation, an American-based financial and security product supplier.
• Mary Newell: English language teacher, author and storyteller from the United Kingdom.
• Ross Newell: character actor best known for his role as Daniel Sommers in the 1999 HBO drama ‘From the Earth to the Moon’.
• Travis Newell: American footballer who played college football for the University of Oregon Ducks and was drafted in 2005 by the New York Giants.

Other surnames

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