Surname Kell - Meaning and Origin
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read moreKell: What does the surname Kell mean?
The last name Kell is an English surname, derived from the Olde English words "ceole" or "cyll," which mean spring or stream. The name was likely given to an individual living near a stream, or one whose profession involved a stream or spring. The family name further indicates ancestor's having ties with water, or the Celtic sept of MacAll or MacKell.
The surname Kell is popular throughout England and Australia, as well as being historically associated with the Scottish Borders region. It is also found in Northern Ireland and Wales. The name is derived from a family of the same name, which is said to have existed since at least the twelth century.
The Kell family was largely associated with diplomacy during the Middle Ages. Members of the family were asked to help negotiate between settlers and the native Celts who occupied Scotland at the time. They were also associated with farming and land ownership.
Today, the surname Kell is still present throughout Britain and continues to belong to many families. It is most often found in the form of Kell or Kelly, although spelling variations such as Kelle or Kellen exist. As well, the surname is said to be popular in America, with many Kells having immigrated from Ireland and England.
Order DNA origin analysisKell: Where does the name Kell come from?
The last name Kell is most commonly found in the United States. However, it is also found in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
In the United States, the most populous states with the last name Kell are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and New York. Particularly in the United States, the last name Kell is most concentrated in Pennsylvania, which is where most of the Kells in the United States reside.
Kell is also found in Germany, where it is most prevalent in the East and West regions. In the United Kingdom, Kell is found largely in the cities of London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.
In Canada, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec have the highest concentrations of Kells. Lastly, in Australia, the majority of Kells reside in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
Overall, Kell is a fairly widespread last name. While it is most concentrated in the United States, people with the last name can be found all around the world in various countries.
Variations of the surname Kell
Kell is an English, Irish and Scottish surname, originating with a variety of spellings, including Kell, Kells, Kelles, Kellis, Kellei, Kelleigh, Kelleighs, Kelli, Kelliise, Kellie, Kelly and Kellys. It is believed to have come from the Middle English personal name "Kelly", derived either from the Old English for "spring", or from "ceol", which means "ship".
Kell, Kells and Kelles are used as both a given name and a surname and all are presumably variants of the same original surname. In Ireland, the Kell name has its origin in County Mayo, while in Scotland, it is thought to come from the clansmen that lived in the lowlands.
The surname Kell is also seen as Kelly, which is thought to have come from the Gaelic "ceall", meaning "strife". This name is more commonly found in Ireland. It would later evolve into "Kelly" and "Kell" in Ireland and the UK. Usually, those bearing the name Kelly are of Irish descent, and those with the Kell surname are Scottish or English.
Kelliise, Kellie, Kelleigh, Kelleighs and Kelli are less common variants of the name Kell. "Kelliise" is found in Scotland, while "Kellie", "Kelleigh" and "Kelleighs" are found principally in Ireland. "Kelli", on the other hand, is found primarily in England.
The two main branches of the Kell surname are those of Scottish and English origins, with Kell being the more common spelling of the two. The Kell surname can also be found as Kelles, Kellis and Kellei, while variants of Kelly include Kellie, Kelliise, Kelleigh, Kelleighs and Kelli.
Famous people with the name Kell
- Rod Kell: former Australian professional rugby league footballer
- Forrest W Kell: former United States Army colonel
- Ed Kell: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Madeline Kell: English stage and silent film actress
- Roy Kell: British stage, film, and television actor
- Toby Kell: English stage, television, and film actor
- Estrella Kell: Canadian stage actress
- Peter Kell: former English professional footballer
- Skylar Astin Kell: American actor, singer, and producer
- Vaughn Kell: professional rodeo cowboy
- John Kell: Australian former professional rugby league footballer
- Kate Kell: British painter
- Mark Kell: English cricketer
- Tim Kell: Canadian former professional ice hockey player
- Andrew Kell: Australian musician and author
- Joe Kell: former American professional baseball player