Show ContentsArnel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Arnel is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Otto I defeated the Magyars in 955. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Arnel family

The surname Arnel was first found in Austria, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs. Chronicles first mention Gregor Aroldt of Luetzen in 1504.

Early History of the Arnel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arnel research. Another 155 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1155, 1650, 1665, 1666, 1695, 1714, 1740, 1773, 1795 and 1802 are included under the topic Early Arnel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arnel Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Arnel include Arnold, Arnoldt, Arnolds, Arnol, Arnoll, Arnolle, Arnholdt (often in Saxony), Aroldt (Franconia), Arlt (Silesia) and many more.

Early Notables of the Arnel family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Arnel were Arnold, known as "Arnold of Brescia" (d.1155), an outstanding personality who challenged and condemned the temporal power of the Church and was executed; Christoph Arnold...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arnel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Arnel family

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Arnel were Anne Arnold, age 39; who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635; Carl Arnold, who arrived in Texas in 1854; Frederick Arnold, who came to Philadelphia in 1859.


Contemporary Notables of the name Arnel (post 1700) +

  • Arnel Pineda (b. 1967), Filipino singer-songwriter


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