THE ORIGINS OF THE SURNAME BELL

Can be viewed in several contexts- as a location name; a nickname; or an occupational name -

BELL (British). - "Residence by the town bell".

BELL (British)"Beautiful, handsome" (Old French); or"Bell-ringer"; or diminutive of Isabell.

BELL - The surname Bell is very numerous in Northumberland and Durham and is also found in big numbers in Yorkshire and Scotland. During the Border troubles between England and Scotland it was a border reiver name, a sheep rustling family like the Armstrongs, Robsons, Grahams and Charltons. 

British Surnames fall into four categories of origin, those derived from first names, descriptive nicknames, occupational names and surnames derived from localities or places of residence. Bell is unusual because it can fit all four categories and it is probable that not all Bells share a common ancestor.

As a surname derived from a first name Bell could be a pet form of Isabel and this was probably the case of Osbertus filius Bell recorded in Yorkshire in 1297. Hugo Bel recorded in Hampshire in 1148 is thought to have a descriptive nickname taken from the Old French 'Belle', meaning beautiful, fair or handsome but Seaman Belle of London in 1181 and Serlo Belle of Yorkshire in 1190 are thought to derive their names from the occupation of bellringing. This meaning has also given rise to the surnames Bellars, Bellers and Bellringer. 

Some early Bells took their name from their place of residence, and this was almost certainly the case of Robert de la Belle of Staffordshire in 1222 and London's John atte Belle in 1332. These Bells or one of their earlier ancestors lived near a church or town bell, or perhaps near the sign of a bell. The surname Bellas is similar, derving from Bell-Hus, someone who lived near a Bell House. Bell-like names deriving from places include Bellingham, from the village in Northumberland and Bellerby from the village in North Yorkshire. Today the Bells, Bels, Belles, atte Belles and De la Belles of old are now all called Bell, making it difficult to know the exact origin of each individual.

The Origin and History of... BELL

The "BELL" family name originated in Dumfriesshire, located in the Border Country of Scotland and England. The "BELL" family traces their ancestral roots back to Boernician origin.  The BELL family first appears in the records of Dumfriesshire where they were recorded as an ancient Dumfriesshire family before the year 1100.

BELL Family References in the Harleian Manuscripts - Briefly, the manuscripts are the records of the "Visitations" (the investigation of heralds) of English and Welsh families. The manuscripts were complied from about 1530 to the close of the 17th century. Over 30,000 families registered their lineage which are now housed in the British Museum in London. The BELL family name was recorded in the following counties, which can be used as a starting point for further investigation into these records held in the British Museum.

Clan Information

The BELL family is distinguished as a Clan in it's own right with a rich extensive history. A family could not qualify for clan status unless they had the proven ability to put 250 armed men ahorse within one hour to defend their clan, lands and properties.  Another Clan requirement was to provide fighting men for their leige lord and king.