Surname Purnell - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring the Purnell Legacy: A Journey into Norman History and Beyond Through iGENEA DNA Test
Taking a delve into the past through the iGENEA DNA test, specific insights emerged about my surname, Purnell. With a rich history stretching back to the Norman Conquest and reaching into different societal roles, the Purnell lineage echoes a tale of survival, adaptation, and societal contributions, making this journey of genetic discovery a mesmerizing chronicle of personal identity.
Y. Purnell
read morePurnell: What does the surname Purnell mean?
Purnell is a name of English and Welsh origins, derived from the Old English personal name "Pyrnel", which is a diminutive form of the word "Pirige", meaning pear tree, with the added suffix "nel", meaning little, hence "little Pirige". Another interpretation suggests it is derived from "Pernel", a medieval form of the name Petronilla, which is of early Christian origins, with Petronella being the feminine equivalent of Peter. In this case, it means "rock". A third derivation could be from the Welsh "ap-Hirnell" meaning "son of Hirnell". This particular surname has many variant spellings including Pernell, Parnell, Parnel, Pernel, Perenelle, among others. Today, it is a quite rare surname, present in several countries, predominantly the United Kingdom. Notable people with the last name Purnell include British politician James Purnell and American actor James Purnell.
Order DNA origin analysisPurnell: Where does the name Purnell come from?
The last name Purnell is quite common today across the globe. It is a widely dispersed surname, with origins in England.
In Britain, the name Purnell is still most commonly found in the South West of England, with concentrations in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Many people of this name have also settled in Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Munster and Connacht.
In the United States, Purnell is also a relatively frequent name, particularly in North Carolina and Mississippi. These states have the highest percentages of people of this surname, with about one and a half percent of the population from each state claiming it.
In Canada, it is also relatively common, usually found in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, where it is also most populous.
The name Purnell is also found in Australia, mainly in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, and smaller numbers in Queensland.
Overall, the name Purnell is a widely dispersed surname, with origins in England and with large numbers in North America, Australia, and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Purnell
The surname Purnell is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Purnell". Variants of the surname include Pernel, Purnall, Purnill, Purner and Pernelle. Among some people of Spanish and Portuguese origin, Purnell is spelled Fernández.
Purnell is the anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacFhir Bhealaidh, which means "son of Fearble". This surname is still found in Scotland and Ireland. Another form of this name is McNelley, which has been Anglicized as McNally and McNelly.
Variants of Purnell have also been found in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy, and Germany. In some cases, variants of Purnell have been used to anglicize pre-existing surnames; for example, MacFhearáin in Ireland and MacFirinne in Scotland.
In the United States, variants of Purnell are found in Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, California, Iowa, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Purnell is also found in Australia where it was anglicized by settlers from Ireland. In France, the pronunciation of Purnell is usually associated with the word pruneau.
A variant of Purnell, Prunella, is found in 19th-century records in England. It is possible that Prunella was derived from the French word pruneau. Prunella seems to have been a diminutive form of Purnell. Another form of Prunella, Pruneau, appears in records in New Zealand.
In summary, the surname Purnell can trace its origins to Gaelic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and English ancestry. Variants of this surname include Pernel, Purnall, Purnill, Purner, Pernelle, Fernández, McNelley, McNally, McNelly, MacFhir Bhealaidh, MacFhearáin, MacFirinne, Prunella, and Pruneau.
Famous people with the name Purnell
- Tom Purnell, British rugby union player
- Bob Purnell, American basketball coach
- Brad Purnell, American drummer
- Joe Purnell, American college basketball coach
- Tristan Purnell, American stage director
- Joe Purnell, English rugby union player
- Salma Purnell, Jamaican actress
- Gail Purnell, English actress
- Martin Purnell, British journalist
- Craig Purnell, English footballer