Contents [hide]

Bell History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Bell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
England
France
Scotland

Etymology of Bell

What does the name Bell mean?

The surname Bell was first used as a surname by the people of ancient French region of Gascogne. It was a name for a person distinguished by great physical beauty. Interestingly, the name Bell was originally derived from the French words, "la belle," which means, " the beautiful."

Early Origins of the Bell family

The surname Bell was first found in Gascony (French: Gascogne), an area of southwest France bordering Spain, that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution, where they held a family seat in the honor of the seigneurie of De Labels, a village in the Basses-Pyrénées in the arrondisement of de Mauléon.

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae also lists Le Bel in Normandy in 1189. 1 One of the earliest notables of the family was Jean Le Bel (c. 1290-1370), a Flemish chronicle and soldier. He was one of the first chroniclers to write in French instead of Latin. As a soldier, he joined with Jean, Count de Beaumont on his travels to England and Scotland in 1327.

Guillaume Labelle, son of Jean and Marie (née Loye), was a French farmer that travelled from Saint-Elei, Normandy to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Anne Charbonneau in Montreal on 23rd November 1671. They had eleven children together and five of their sons eventually married and carried on the name Labelle in Canada. 2

Early History of the Bell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bell research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1573, 1650, 1674, 1696, 1703, 1734 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Bell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bell Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Bell is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Lebel, LeBel, LaBelle, Belle, Bell, Labelle, Label, LaBell, LaBel, LeBelle, LeBaile, LaBaile, Lebaile and many more.

Early Notables of the Bell family

Alexis-Simon Belle (1674-1734), French painter, member of well known family of painters, and his son the painter Jean Belle (d. 1703.) Dominique Guillaume Lebel (1696-1768) or also Le Bel, was first c...

Bell World Ranking

the United States, the name Bell is the 58^th most popular surname with an estimated 290,979 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Bell is ranked the 78^th most popular surname with an estimated 31,373 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Bell is the 41^st popular surname with an estimated 42,630 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Bell as 58^th with 5,090 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Bell as 48^th with 83,942 people. 7 South Africa ranks Bell as 920^th with 7,585 people. 8

Bell migration to the United States +

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Bell has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Bell were

Bell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. John Bell, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Safety" arriving in Virginia in 1635 10
George Bell, who settled in Virginia in 1638
John Bell who settled in Virginia in 1638
Christian Bell, who landed in Virginia in 1650 11
Alexander Bell who settled in Virginia in 1654
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Frederich Bell, British settler who arrived in New York in 1709 with wife Anna Maria and 4 children
Anne Bell, who landed in Virginia in 1713 11
Chr Bell, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 11
Christopher Bell, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 11
Aaron Bell, who arrived in New England in 1719 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Agnus Bell, who settled in Philadelphia in 1802
David Bell, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey aboard the ship "Protection" in 1811 12
Margaret Bell, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey aboard the ship "Protection" in 1811 12
James Bell, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey aboard the ship "Protection" in 1811 12
Abraham Bell, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell migration to Canada +

Bell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Ann Bell, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Elizabeth Bell, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1765
Robert Bell, who was a laborer in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1779 13
Mr. Derick Bell U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 14
Mr. Duncan Bell U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh, Cataraqui township, [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1783 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Andrew Bell, who landed in Canada in 1819
John Bell, aged 20, a tailor, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
Thomas Bell, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Bartley" in 1833
Agnes Bell, aged 55, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Pacific" from Liverpool, England
James Bell, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Adam Bell, (1731 - 1790), aged 58, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 9
Mr. John Bell, (1768 - 1790), aged 21, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 10

Second Fleet

Mr. Adam Bell, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Third Fleet

Mr. William Bell, (b. 1760), aged 27, English settler convicted in London on 14th January 1784, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
Mr. Jonathon Bell, British seaman on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Bell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Bell, (Porter, William, Dalton), English waterman who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1851 15
Mr. Henry Bell, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Bell, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Ann Bell, (Eliza), (b. 1784), aged 33, Irish needle woman who was convicted in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 21st March 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia then transported on to Tasmania per "Elizabeth Henrietta" 17
Mr. Charles Bell, British Convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Bell, who landed in Island of Mana, New Zealand in 1832 aboard the ship Minerva
George Bell, who landed in Dundee, New Zealand in 1832
F Dillon Bell, who landed in Wellington & Nelson, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Ursula
H Gordon Bell, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Lady Lilford
James Bell, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bell migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Bell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. James Bell, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 20
Mr. Thomas Bell, (b. 1621), aged 14, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
Alison Bell, who settled in Barbados in 1670
Robert Bell, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Contemporary Notables of the name Bell (post 1700) +

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), Scottish inventor of the telephone, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, emigrated to the United States in 1870, where he was a Professor of Physiology at Boston University, and exhibited his telephone invention in 1870
William Hoyet "Whitey" Bell (1932-2025), American basketball player
Francis Laney Bell Jr. (1943-2025), American politician, served in the South Carolina State Senate (1983-1984), chairman of the Lancaster County Council
Theresa Mae Bell (1909-1992), American corporal in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Adeline Bell (b. 1920), née Harris, American technician in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
George Bell (1957-2025), tallest man in the United States at 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) as recognized by Guinness World Records, a deputy sheriff in Norfolk, Virginia, played college basketball at Morris Brown College, Biola University, the Harlem Wizards and Harlem Globetrotters show teams
Gregory Curtis Bell (1930-2025), American track and field athlete who won the gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Virginia Bell (1927-1994), American pitcher and outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Gordon Bell (1934-2024), born Chester Gordon Bell, an American electrical engineer and manager, designer of several of the DEC PDP machines and later served as the company's Vice President of Engineering from 1972-1983
... (Another 380 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bell family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Robert William Bell (d. 1914), British Deck Boy from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Dan Bell (d. 1914), American Third Class Passenger from Detroit, Michigan, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Mr. Frank W. Bell, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 24
Mr. John Francis Bell (1854-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
Master Stanley Bell (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26
... (Another 28 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Passengers from Ireland retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from Passengers From Ireland arriving at American ports between 1811 and 1817 ISBN 0-8063-0870-2
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance