Show ContentsBorrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Borrell

What does the name Borrell mean?

The illustrious Spanish surname Borrell is one of the oldest Catalan names, dating back to the 9th century to Borrell I, the first count of Cerdanya, Urgell, and Osona (c. 797-799 to his death in 820.) He is believed to be a Visigoth nobleman, probably from Cerretana (Cerdanya).

In Barcelona, Borrell II (died 993) was Count of Barcelona, Girona and Ausona from 945 and Count of Urgell from 948. Borrell was the son of Sunyer II and in 967 he married Letgarda, who is speculated to have been daughter of a Count of Toulouse or Rouergue based on the names given to her children. By her Borrell had two sons and two daughters: Ramon Borrell (972-1017), Ermengol (974-1010.)

Another Borrell I, was the sovereign Count of Pallars in 948-995. Count Borrell was a son of the Count Lope I of Pallars and Goltregoda of Cerdanya.

Borrell (Latin: Burrellus) (died 1018)was the Bishop of Vic from 1010 until 1017. He was elected to replace Arnulf, who had died in battle against the Córdobans.

The name Borrell is thought to have been derived from the Mozambique "Burriel", from "burrella" (kind of pumpkin), diminutive of "burrellus" which also has the meaning of "red."

Early Origins of the Borrell family

The surname Borrell was first found in Catalonia, the eastern most autonomous community or region of Spain.

Early History of the Borrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Borrell research. More information is included under the topic Early Borrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borrell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Borrell, Borrel and others.

Early Notables of the Borrell family

  • was Wilfred II or Wifred II, also known as Borrell I or Borrel I (Wifredo II Borrell I in Spanish
  • Guifré II Borrell I in Catalan), was Count of Barcelona, Girona, and Ausona from 897 to 911. Wilfred II founded and was buried at Sant Pau del Camp monastery in Barcelona

Borrell migration to the United States +



Borrell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • F M Borrell, aged 19, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1855 1

Borrell migration to Australia +

Borrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edward Borrell, British Convict who was convicted in Lincoln, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 2
  • William Borrell, aged 39, a mason, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "William Prowse" 3

Borrell 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:

Borrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Borrell, (b. 1838), aged 22, British farm labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Borrell (post 1700) +

  • Josep Borrell Fontelles (b. 1947), Spanish politician, born in Catalan village of La Pobla de Segur, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since 1 December 2019, President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007, Vice-President of the European Commission (2019-)
  • Dick Borrell (b. 1951), American politician
  • Charles W. Borrell, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Volo, 1889-97
  • Pere Borrell del Caso (1835-1910), Catalan Spanish painter, illustrator and engraver
  • Francisco Mora y Borrell (1827-1905), Spanish-born prelate of the Catholic Church
  • Alfons Borrell i Palazón (1931-2020), Spanish abstract painter
  • Teresa Borrell (b. 1962), New Zealand shooting competitor, he competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games
  • Pedro José Borrell Bentz (b. 1944), Dominican architect and archeologist
  • Lazaro Manuel Borrell Hernández (b. 1972), Cuban former professional basketball player
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. 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)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835
  3. South Australian Register Monday 21st August 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Prowse 1856. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamprowse1854.shtml
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html

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