Show ContentsTyrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Tyrell is derived from the Old French word "tirel," derived from "tirer," "to pull." The word was often used to refer to an animal that pulled carts; thus it may be that it was used as a nickname for a stubborn person, before coming to be used as a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Tyrell family

The surname Tyrell was first found in Westmeath (Irish: An Iarmhí) in the Irish Midlands, province of Leinster, where a Tyrell family obtained a grant of most of the barony of Fertullagh, as well as the lordship of Castleknock in County Dublin.

The family "was, also found in Ireland. 'Hugh Tirell' was one of Strongbow's knights; and 'Castle Knoc,' says Camden, ' was heretofore the barony of the Tirels, whose Estate by females was transferr'd to other Families about the year

1370.' " 1

Early History of the Tyrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tyrell research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1597, 1617, 1619, 1646, 1676, 1688, 1689, 1692, 1693 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Tyrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyrell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tyrell, Terrell, Terrill, Tyrill, Tirell, Tyrrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Tyrell family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Hugh Tirrell, who was seneschal of Ulster in 1224; The Most Reverend Patrick Tyrrell (died 1692), an Irish clergyman, Bishop of Clogher (1676-1689); Sir Timothy Tyrrell (1617-1701), Captain of a Cavalry Regiment, Colonel of a...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tyrell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyrell Ranking

In the United States, the name Tyrell is the 11,614th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2


United States Tyrell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tyrell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Tyrell, who arrived in America in 1743
  • Elizabeth Tyrell, a bonded passenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1759
Tyrell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Tyrell who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1840
  • Charles Tyrell, who was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1840
  • James Tyrell, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1856 3
  • Bridget Tyrell, who arrived in New York in 1865

Canada Tyrell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tyrell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Tyrell, aged 28, a servant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Sally Tyrell, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Margaret Tyrell, aged 5, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland

Australia Tyrell migration to Australia +

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

Tyrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Tyrell, Irish farm servant who was convicted in County Meath, Ireland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 5th November 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
  • Mr. Richard Tyrell, (b. 1799), aged 32, Irish soldier from County Meath who was convicted in Bengal, India for life for striking a superior officer, transported aboard the "Caroline" on 31st July 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
  • S. Tyrell, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Admiral" in 1838 6
  • Mr. Richard Tyrell, English convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Edwin Fox" on 24th August 1858, arriving in Western Australia, Australia

New Zealand Tyrell 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:

Tyrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Tyrell, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 7

West Indies Tyrell 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. 8
Tyrell Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • John Tyrell, who arrived in Jamaica in 1770 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Tyrell (post 1700) +

  • Michael Tyrell (b. 1974), American poet, editor, actor, and writing teacher
  • David Tyrell (1913-1999), American stage and film actor
  • W. C. Tyrell, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1924 9
  • Joseph P. Tyrell, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1964 9
  • John J. Tyrell (1901-1986), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York, 1946-48, 1950-66 9
  • Dell L. Tyrell (d. 1965), American politician, Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, 1963 9
  • Tyrell Eugene "Ty" Timpson (b. 1986), American professional basketball player
  • Tyrell Cuffy (b. 1988), Trinidadian-born, Caymanian sprinter
  • Tyrell Biggs (b. 1960), American former heavyweight boxer
  • Tyrell Krum, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Virginia 8th District, 1950 10

Prince of Wales colliery
  • Mr. Henry Tyrell (b. 1844), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 11
  • Mr. William H. Tyrell (b. 1863), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 11
  • Mr. Samuel Tyrell (b. 1865), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 11
  • Mr. William Tyrell (b. 1860), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 11


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  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. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/captain-cook
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caroline
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL ADMIRAL 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838RoyalAdmiral.htm
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  10. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  11. Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm


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