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There are approximately 116,462 people named Bell in the UK. That makes it the 56th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 1,843 are named Bell.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

England

Language of origin

English

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

English
Occupational Name

Related and similar surnames

Baell
Ball
Baehl
Bale
Bal
Balls
Bahl
Balla
Balli
Bail
Ballo
Baal
Ballou
Bally
France
Baaell
Baall
Bahll
Balll
Baelli
Baella
Baello
Ballz
Ballu
Ball's
Baalls
Baelz
Baellie
Balloo
Balloe
Baalla
Ballue
Ballw
Ballie
Baela

The Bell surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

A name taken from the sign of an inn or shop. The sign of a bell was frequently used. "John at the Bell" became "John Bell." Bel, French, beautiful, handsome, fine.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

BELL. This common surname is doubtless le Bel, 0. Fr. for fine, handsome ; and in this form it is found in the H.R. The chief habitation of the Bells has long been on the Scottish border. In a MS. of 1590, relating to the defences of that district, we find in Cumberland, under Bridekirk, this entiy : " About them is a great surname of Bells and Cavlisles, who have been long in feud Avith the Irwyns." Again : " In Gilsland is no great surname : the Belles is the most." Archffiolog. XXII. p. 169—70.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.

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