Show ContentsPickrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pickrell surname is derived from the Middle English word "pykerell," meaning "young pike;" as a name, it is thought to have evolved from a nickname for a sharp and aggressive person, or perhaps as an occupational name for someone who caught or sold these fish.

Early Origins of the Pickrell family

The surname Pickrell was first found in Norfolk, where the name appeared in the late 12th century. The name undoubtedly originates from the middle English word pykerel, meaning a young pike, but the original significance of the name is uncertain. Pike are extremely vicious fish, and so the name may have belonged to someone with a nasty, short-tempered or violent disposition. Another possibility is that the name was occupational in origin referring to one who fished pike for a living.

Early History of the Pickrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pickrell research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1199 and 1240 are included under the topic Early Pickrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pickrell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pikerel, Pickerell, Pickerill, Pickrell, Pickrill and many more.

Early Notables of the Pickrell family

More information is included under the topic Early Pickrell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pickrell Ranking

In the United States, the name Pickrell is the 16,043rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Pickrell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pickrell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Pickrell, who landed in Virginia in 1665 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Pickrell (post 1700) +

  • Bob Pickrell, American actor, known for The Voice That Was Louder Than Before (2016) and Shattered Glass (2014)
  • Ricky Pickrell, American actor, known for Price of Glory 59: The Awakening (2009)
  • Christy Pickrell, American actress, known for The Young Riders (1989) and Desperado: The Outlaw Wars (1989)
  • Kristen Pickrell, American actress, known for WMM Sketch Show (2014), Pledges (2018) and Obesite
  • Nick Pickrell, American actor, known for Lotawana (2022), Farm to Fork to Love (2021) and Renovation of the Heart/It's a Fixer Upper (2019)
  • Robert W. Pickrell (1922-2017), American politician from Prescott, Arizona, Attorney General of Arizona from 1961 to 1965
  • June Pickrell (1889-1962), American actor
  • Esau Pickrell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from District of Columbia, 1868 3
  • Anthony D. Pickrell, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Jackson County 5th District; Elected 1950 3
  • A. J. Pickrell, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Illinois, 1920 3
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook