Summary

The surname Bell has origins in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is derived from the Middle English word 'belle' meaning 'bell,' and was likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a bell or had a connection to a bell. The name may also have been occupational, referring to a bell-ringer or someone who made bells. The surname Bell is widely found throughout the English-speaking world and has a rich history.
There are
220599
Bells in the USA
Bell is the
106th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Bell

AlexanderGraham

Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born inventor and scientist who is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone.

AlexanderMelville

Alexander Melville Bell was a Scottish-born speech teacher and father of Alexander Graham Bell. He was known for his work on Visible Speech, a system for teaching the deaf to speak.

CatherineBell

Catherine Bell is an American actress known for her role as Sarah MacKenzie in the television series 'JAG' and as Denise Sherwood in the series 'Army Wives.'

GertrudeBell

Gertrude Bell was an English writer, traveler, political officer, and archaeologist who played a key role in the establishment of modern Iraq and helped shape its borders after World War I.

ChrisBell

Chris Bell was an American musician and singer-songwriter, best known as a founding member of the rock band Big Star.

VanessaBell

Vanessa Bell was an English painter and interior designer, a member of the Bloomsbury Group, and the sister of Virginia Woolf.

ArtBell

Art Bell was an American broadcaster and author, best known as the founder and original host of the paranormal-themed radio program 'Coast to Coast AM.'

KristenBell

Kristen Bell is an American actress, known for her roles in television shows like 'Veronica Mars' and the Disney film 'Frozen,' in which she voiced the character of Anna.

HenryBell

Henry Bell was a Scottish engineer who designed and built the first commercially successful steamship in Europe, the PS Comet.

LakshmiSahgal

Lakshmi Sahgal, born Lakshmi Swaminathan, was an Indian independence activist, politician, and doctor, known for her role as a captain in the Indian National Army.

Bell Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Bell' is of English and Scottish origin. It originally referred to the occupational name for a bell ringer or a manufacturer of bells.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Bell' is widely distributed across English-speaking countries, with a significant presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Bell' include 'Belle' and 'Bello'.
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Bell' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, especially during periods of British colonization and industrialization.