Snell
A surname from Old English meaning “quick,” “active,” or “bold.”
The #1,623 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 13,922 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Snell comes from Old English snell, a word meaning quick, active, sharp, or brave. In early English usage it could describe speed and alertness, but also courage or boldness. The surname began as a nickname for someone with those qualities and later became hereditary.
History
The name is recorded in England before the Norman Conquest and appears in early medieval English sources as a descriptive byname. Related forms such as Snelling and Snelson developed as patronymics. The surname has remained established in England and later spread to North America and other English-speaking countries.
Origin
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Fun fact
Older writers glossed Snell not only as “quick” but also as “bold” or “brave,” so the name could praise both speed and nerve.
From the historical record
“SNELGROVE (Eng.) Dweller at a Snail- Grove [O.E. sne(g)l + grdf] SNELL (Eng.) Quick, Active, Agile ; earlier also Bold, Brave [O.E. snel(l = O.Sax. O.H.Ger. . snel(l (mod. schnell) = Dut. snel] . . . se snella sunu Wonredes (. . . the agile son of Wonred). — Beowulf, S934-S. M& sendon t6 J)6, scfemen snelle.— The…”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)