Murrell Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

The English surname Murrell is of patronymic origin, belonging to that category of surnames derived from the first name of a parent. In this instance, the name denotes one who is the “son of Muriel,” a personal name of Celtic origin, like the Welsh name Meryl and the Irish name Muirgheal, all of which may be literally translated as “sea bright.” This name was introduced to England in the eleventh century by the Normans who brought it from Brittany. Hence its frequent occurrence in Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and Essex. Some scholars suggest, however, that this name came to England with Scandinavians who came through Ireland. There is another possibility that for some name holders the origination is not a personal name but a place name, from one of the places called ‘Merryhill’. This certainly seems to have been the case with Adam de Merihel of Suffolk in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. What is certain is that the surname has an ancient pedigree. The first of all known recordings is that of Ougrim filius Miriel in the Pipe Rolls of Lincoln for the year 1188, with that of Richard Muriel, also of Lincoln being an apparently hereditary surname, only a few years later in 1195. Other early recordings include those of Richard Miriel of Suffolk in the rolls of Ely Abbey in 1221, Simon Mirield of Norfolk in the Danelaw Rolls for 1323, Walter Merel of Suffolk in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1381, and Thomas Merells also of Suffolk in 1524. There are many spelling variations of the surname Murrell and they are: Muriel, Murrell, Murrells, Murrill, Merrell, Meriel, Merrill, Merrall, Merill, Mirralls, and the Welsh Meriel and Meryly.

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Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Or, a pale engrailed gules, voided of the field between two fleur de lis azure. Crest: A peacock’s head erased proper.