Show ContentsHurrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hurrell family

The surname Hurrell was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute.

The name in Anglo Saxon, signifies "The love of the army," From Har, an army, and hold, love. 1 Hence the name is often referred to as "powerful warrior." 2

Further to the south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Agnes Harald, Oxfordshire; John Harald, Wiltshire; Reginald Haralt, Oxfordshire; and Roger Harold, Buckinghamshire. 3

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Robertus Harald; and Stephen Harald as holding lands there at that time. 3

Early History of the Hurrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hurrell research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1566, 1626, 1685, 1799, 1825, 1834, 1851, 1881, 1883 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Hurrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hurrell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Harold, Harald, Harrell, Hirrell, Hurrell and others.

Early Notables of the Hurrell family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Francis Harold, O.F.M. (died 1685), an Irish Franciscan and historical writer. He was a native of Limerick, and member of the Franciscan order, to which his uncle, Luke Wadding, was the historiographer. Harold...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hurrell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hurrell family to Ireland

Some of the Hurrell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hurrell migration to Australia +

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

Hurrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Humphrey Hurrell, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Poictiers" in 1848 4
  • Seruptha Hurrell, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Osceola" 5
  • Robert Henry Hurrell, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Oregon" 6

Hurrell 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:

Hurrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. W.C. Hurrell, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 7
  • Mr. Joseph Hurrell, (b. 1814), aged 42, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 7
  • Mrs. Letty Hurrell, (b. 1815), aged 41, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 7
  • Mr. Alfred Hurrell, (b. 1838), aged 18, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 7
  • Miss Rachael Hurrell, (b. 1843), aged 13, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hurrell (post 1700) +

  • George Hurrell (1904-1992), American glamour photographer, perhaps best known for his publicity photo of Jane Russell for the movie The Outlaw
  • James E. Hurrell, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 6th District, 1984 8
  • William Provan "Willie" Hurrell (1920-1999), Scottish footballer
  • The Venerable William Philip Hurrell (1860-1952), British Anglican priest, Archdeacon of Loughborough (1923-1940)
  • William Harry Hurrell (b. 1990), English rugby union player
  • John Hurrell (b. 1947), English cricketer who played for Cornwall
  • Konileti "Konrad" Hurrell (b. 1991), Tongan professional rugby league footballer
  • John Richard "Jack" Hurrell (1933-2003), Welsh international rugby union centre
  • Air Vice Marshal Frederick "Freddie" Charles Hurrell CB, OBE, CStJ, QHP, MRCS, FRAeS (1928-2008), British senior medical officer, Director-General of the RAF Medical Services from 1986 to 1988
  • Wendy Louise Hurrell (b. 1982), English television weather presenter for BBC London
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) POICTIERS 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Poictiers.htm
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OSCEOLA / ASCEOLA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Osceola-Asceola.htm
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque OREGON, 521 tons - 1851 voyage to South Australia. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Oregon.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. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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