Show ContentsNell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Nell family

The surname Nell was first found in Austria, where the name Nelle became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Nell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nell research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1709, 1717 and 1855 are included under the topic Early Nell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Nelle, Nellen, Nell, Neille, Nelli, Nellenburg, Nellen, Nellessen, Nellie, Nelly, Nellenberg, Nellberg and many more.

Early Notables of the Nell family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Nell were

  • the Nelle family of Austria

Nell Ranking

In the United States, the name Nell is the 11,810th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in South Africa, the name Nell is ranked the 667th most popular surname with an estimated 10,250 people with that name. 2


United States Nell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ralph Nell, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 3
Nell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Ann Nell, who settled in America in 1740
  • Christian Nell, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 3
  • Christoph Nell, who settled in America in 1780
  • Ludewig Nell, who landed in New York, NY in 1782 3
Nell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ernst Gottfried Nell, aged 42, who arrived in America in 1843 3
  • Wilhelm Nell, aged 47, who landed in America in 1844 3

Australia Nell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Nell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Nell, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Hartley" in 1837 4
  • Thomas Nell, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Hartley" in 1837 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Nell (post 1700) +

  • Reba Nell McEntire (b. 1955), American country music singer, performer and Golden Globe Award nominated actress often named "The Queen of Country" having sold 57 million records
  • Rosa Nell Speer (1922-2017), also known as Rosa Nell Powell, American southern gospel singer who sang with the well-known Speer Family Gospel Choir
  • Autrey Nell Wiley (1901-1990), American literary critic and professor
  • Barbara Nell Stegall (b. 1934), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 2004 5
  • Nell Leyshon, British playwright and novelist from Somerset
  • Nell Blair Walden Blaine (1922-1996), American landscape painter and watercolorist
  • Nell O'Day (1909-1989), American equestrian and B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s
  • Nell Scovell, American television and magazine writer, producer and director, known for having created the television series Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
  • Nell McAndrews (b. 1973), English glamour model
  • Nell Fortner (b. 1959), American Olympic gold medalist basketball player and coach

Bismarck
  • Erwin Nell (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARTLEY 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Hartley.htm
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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