Show ContentsRussell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Russell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Russell

What does the name Russell mean?

The name Russell was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Russell family lived in Dorset. Their name, however, is a reference to Roussel, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The family there were lords of Rosel, an ancient neighborhood of Cherbourg. 1 2

Early Origins of the Russell family

The surname Russell was first found in Dorset, England where they were originally descended from William Bertram, Baron of Briquebec, living in 1012. His son Hugue (Hugh) named de Roussel attended Duke William at Hastings, and became Marshall of England. "Hugh de Rosel, a benefactor of the abbey of Caen accompanied the Conqueror to England, and was rewarded with possessions in county Dorset, the principally of which were Kingston, afterwards called Kingston-Russell and Berwick, the latter of which is still in possession of the family." 1

The noted Scottish author George F. Black believed that while not discounting the Norman influence, he felt the name was "most probably a diminutive of rous, 'red'," and that Chaucer's reference to 'Daun Russel' in Nonne Prestes Tale was "alluding to his reddish color." 3 He also notes one the first records in Scotland was Walter Russell who witnessed a charter by Walter filius Alani to the Abbey of Paisley, c. 1164-77. A few years later, John, son of Robert Russel of Doncallaw, granted lands to the Hospital of Soltre between 1180 and 1220. 3

Moving back to the English branch of the family, we found a few listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, specifically: Miriel Russell in Huntingdonshire; Simon Russel in Cambridgeshire; and Elyas Russell in London. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes Russell and Robertus Russell. 4

Over on the Isle of Wight in Yaverland, a small branch of the family was found at one time. "An ancient mansion of the Russells here, subsequently of the Richards family, and now a farmhouse, is a good specimen of the Elizabethan style." 5

"The Russells have ever been the most liberal of landlords. Every improvement made in Tavistock, [Devon] has been carried out by the Duke for the time being, ' regardless of expense,' with a taste as well as a liberality that have resulted in making the little town so far as its main thoroughfares go the handsomest of its size in the West of England. " 6

Early History of the Russell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Russell research. Another 283 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1012, 1259, 1296, 1310, 1320, 1321, 1376, 1417, 1423, 1424, 1432, 1437, 1486, 1539, 1550, 1555, 1577, 1601, 1602, 1613, 1614, 1625, 1629, 1632, 1639, 1642, 1660, 1669, 1679, 1680, 1683, 1692, 1694, 1700, 1702, 1710, 1711, 1714, 1727, 1731, 1735, 1741 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Russell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Russell Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Russell, Russel and others.

Early Notables of the Russell family

  • John Russell (died 1437), an English landowner and Justice of the Peace, Speaker of the House of Commons (1423-1424) and in 1432, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1417
  • Sir John Russell, (c.1486-1555), Lord High Steward and Lord Keeper of the privy seal under Henry VIII and Edward VI, created 1st Earl of Bedford in 1550
  • Thomas Russell (1577-1632), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1601 and in 1614
  • Sir William Russell, 1st Baronet, of Wytley (ca. 1602-1669), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1625
  • Sir John Russell, 3rd Baronet of Chippenham (ca.1632-1669), who was first a Royalist, but afterwards a colonel of foot for Parliament and distinguished himself at the Battle of Marston-Moor, and in th...
  • William Russell, Baron Russell (1639-1683), an English politician
  • Lord William Russell (1613-1700) 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford, who fought first for Parliament and then for the king in the Civil War
  • Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford KG (1680-1711)
  • Lord Edward Russell (ca. 1642-1714), an English politician and peer, Member of Parliament for Tavistock (1679-1683), Treasurer of the Chamber (1694-1702)
  • Diana Russell, Duchess of Bedford (1710-1735) née Lady Diana Spencer

Russell World Ranking

the United States, the name Russell is the 97th most popular surname with an estimated 211,395 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Russell is ranked the 127th most popular surname with an estimated 24,725 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Russell is the 52nd popular surname with an estimated 466 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Russell as 67th with 34,420 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Russell as 69th with 4,851 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Russell as 78th with 57,822 people. 12

Migration of the Russell family to Ireland

Some of the Russell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Russell migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Russell or a variant listed above:

Russell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William and Walter Russell, who settled in Virginia in 1607
  • John Russell, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova"
  • Dennis Russell, who arrived in Virginia in 1628 14
  • Simon Russell, who settled in Boston in 1631
  • John Russell, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Russell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Russell, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 14
  • David Russell, who landed in Oxford, Maryland in 1747 14
Russell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Russell, aged 22, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 14
  • Isabella Russell, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 14
  • Isaac Russell, who landed in America in 1805 14
  • Henry Russell, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1812 14
  • Jane Russell, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Russell migration to Canada +

Russell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Elijah Russell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Miss. Elizabeth Russell U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 15
  • Mr. Jonathan Russell U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 270 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 15
  • Mrs. Martha Russell U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 15
  • Mrs. Molly Russell U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Russell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Bridget Russell, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1823
  • James Russell, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Thomas Russell, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • William Russell, aged 11, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Jane Russell, aged 45, a widow, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ugoni" from Belfast, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Russell 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
  • Miss Mary Russell, (1762 - 1790), aged 26, British convict convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Robert Russell, British settler convicted at Hampshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Jacob Russell, (1761 - 1856), aged 29, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. John Russell, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a handkerchief, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Thomas Russell, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1790, sentenced to Life for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Miss Mary Russell, (Elizabeth), (1764 - 1840), aged 26, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a handkerchief, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. William Russell, British settler convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Third Fleet
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Russell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Russell 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:

Russell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Russell, aged 21, a gardener, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 21
  • David Russell, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 22
  • Elizabeth Russell, aged 34, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 22
  • Elizabeth Russell, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 22
  • John Russell, aged 8, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Russell 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. 23
Russell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Katherin Russell, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 24
  • Mr. Francis Russell, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Russell (post 1700) +

  • William Felton "Bill" Russell (1934-2022), American NBA basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics (1956-1969), a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, one of the founding inductees into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006
  • Leon Russell (1942-2016), born Claude Russell Bridges, an American musician and songwriter, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011and the Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • Jack Patrick Russell (1960-2024), American rock vocalist, founding member of the hard rock band Great White
  • Charles Andrew Russell (1941-2024), American professional football player
  • Mark Russell (1932-2023), born Joseph Marcus Ruslander, an American political satirist and comedian, best known for his series of bimonthly comedy specials on PBS television between 1975 and 2004
  • Sheila Doyle Russell (1935-2022), American politician, 66th Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts (1996-1997)
  • James B. "Jim" Russell (1946-2022), American journalist, producer, and executive who created national programs for National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media and PBS
  • Frank Russell (1949-2021), American professional basketball player who played one season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Chicago Bulls during the 1972–73 season
  • Jane Russell (1921-2011), American film actress born in Bemidji, Minnesota, one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s; she made her first film role in Howard Hughes' The Outlaw (1943) which included her iconic publicity shot posed on bails of hay
  • ... (Another 54 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Ronald C Russell (1963-1985), American Private 1st Class from Portsmouth, Virginia, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
  • Miss Sarah Mcqueen Russell (1881-1914), Scottish Third Class Passenger from Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. William Russell (1846-1914), Scottish Third Class Passenger from Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 28
  • Mrs. Clara M  Russell (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 28
  • Master George  Russell (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Protestant Orphanage, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 29
  • ... (Another 21 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Russell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Che sara sara
Motto Translation: What will be will be.

Suggested Readings for the name Russell +

  • Descendants of William Russell of Salem, Mass., 1647 by George Ely Russell.
  • Odyssey of the Barkers and The Russells by Don W. Barker.
  • Long, Long Ago, 1776-1976: a Genealogical Record of the Farris, Wells, Keltner, Wynne, Russell, Roberts Families in America by Harriett Farris Boozer.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 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)
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  14. 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)
  15. 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
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  27. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  28. 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

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