Show ContentsNoell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Noell

What does the name Noell mean?

The Noell family's name is derived from the ancient Norman culture that was established in Britain following the Norman Conquest of island in 1066. Their name originated with an early member who was a person who was connected in some way with the Christmas season. Such a name may have been attached to the person whose duty it was to provide the Yule log to the Lord of the manor, although this connection is by no means exclusive.

Early Origins of the Noell family

The surname Noell was first found in Staffordshire at Ranton, home of Ranton Abbey and Ranton Priory, built c.1150 by Robert fitz Noel of Ellenhall. 1

The ruins of Abbey House remain today but most of the building fell to ruin by the late 1600s. For Noel's services as a companion to William the Conqueror, he received the aforementioned priory plus the manors of Ellenhall, Wiverstone, Podmore and Milnese. His eldest son, Robert Noel, Lord of Ellenhall, was granted the greater part of Gainsborough from the Prior of Coventry temp. Henry I. From him derived the Noels of Hilcote and the Noels of the counties of Rutland and Leicester. 2

"The Hall [of Ellenhall] belonged to the ancient family of the Noels, from whom descended the Noels of Hilcote, in this county, and the Noels of Ridlington, in Rutlandshire; it afterwards passed, with the manor, by marriage, to the Harcourts." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Ralph Noel in Huntingdonshire and Noel de Aubtanis in Somerset. 4 Kirby's Quest listed the name as a forename in Somerset as in: Noel atte Wynde, 5

The hamlet of Moxhull in Warwickshire played an important part in the family's lineage. "It is situated to the west of the Birmingham and Fazeley canal; and is chiefly distinguished as the residence of Berkeley Noel, Esq., whose seat of Moxhull Park is bounded on the east by the high road: the house was built about the 14th century, and is a substantial edifice, containing some ancient portraits of members of the Noel and Hacket families." 3

Another branch of the family was found in Exton, Rutland. "The church is a spacious and elegant structure, chiefly in the early, and partly in the later, English style, with a tower strengthened by buttresses, and surmounted by a spire; it contains several finely-executed monuments to the Noel family and their connexions." 3

Yes another branch of the family was found at Little Mearley in Lancashire. "The hamlet and manor of Little Mearley, in the township, still remain in the descendants of William Nowell, the first grantee under John de Lacy, who died in the year 1240." 3

Early History of the Noell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Noell research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1507, 1515, 1558, 1560, 1571, 1576, 1590, 1602, 1641, 1655, 1661, 1662, 1684, 1689, 1690 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Noell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Noell Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Noell include Noel, Noell, Nole and others.

Early Notables of the Noell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Martin Noell, knighted in 1662, an eminent London merchant, engaged in an extensive colonial trade that included the slave trade

Noell Ranking

In the United States, the name Noell is the 15,722nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6


Noell migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Noells to arrive on North American shores:

Noell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Roger Noell, who landed in Virginia in 1663 7
  • James Noell, who arrived in Maryland in 1672 7
Noell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry Noell, who landed in Arkansas in 1904 7

Noell migration to Australia +

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

Noell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Stephen Noell, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Noell (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Estes Noell (1839-1867), American politician, U.S. Representative from Missouri, son of John William Noell
  • Charles P. Noell (1812-1887), born in Virginia, San Diego Democratic politician and merchant who built first wooden building in the city
  • Thomas Noell (d. 1702), English-born merchant and later politician, the Mayor of New York from 1701 to 1702
  • John William Noell (1816-1863), American politician, U.S. Representative from Missouri
  • R. J. Noell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 1920 9
  • John William Noell (1816-1863), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Missouri, 1859-63 9
  • Edward E. Noell, American politician, Postmaster at Hampton, Virginia, 1807-17 9
  • Helena Noell Seger (b. 1970), former Swedish model actress
  • Noell Coet (b. 1994), American actress from Carrollton, Texas, known for Stage V (2016), Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End (2013) and Be Afraid (2017)

HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Alfred John Noell (1922-1941), Australian Stoker from Bickley, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 10


The Noell 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: Jus suum cuique
Motto Translation: To every man his own.


  1. 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)
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  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. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. 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)
  8. South Australian Register Wednesday 25th October 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord Raglan 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/lordraglan1854.shtml
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  10. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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