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Origin of the Surname Arnell
The surname Arnell has a geographical distribution that currently shows a significant presence in Anglo-Saxon countries, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in some European nations and to a lesser extent in regions of Latin America and other continents. According to available data, the highest incidence is in the United States with approximately 1,279 records, followed by England with 976 and Sweden with 824. The presence in countries such as South Africa, Australia, Canada and France is also notable, although on a smaller scale. The geographical dispersion suggests that the surname could have roots in regions with Germanic or Anglo-Saxon tradition, given its strong roots in English-speaking countries and Scandinavia.
The concentration in the United States and the United Kingdom, together with its presence in Sweden, may indicate that the surname has an origin in northern Europe, possibly in Germanic or Scandinavian areas. The history of migrations from these regions to America and other continents, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries, could explain its expansion. The lower incidence in Spanish-speaking countries, such as Spain or Latin American countries, reinforces the hypothesis that its origin would not be directly Iberian, but rather northern or central European.
Etymology and Meaning of Arnell
From a linguistic analysis, the surname Arnell seems to derive from Germanic or Scandinavian roots. The ending "-ell" in surnames of Germanic or Scandinavian origin is usually related to diminutives or patronymic forms, although in some cases it may indicate a toponymic origin. The root "Arn" is common in Germanic surnames and means "eagle" in several Germanic languages, including Old English and West Germanic. The combination "Arn" plus the suffix "-ell" could be interpreted as "little eagle" or "son of the eagle", in a figurative or symbolic sense.
The surname could be classified as patronymic or toponymic, depending on its specific origin. If considered a patronymic, it would be a derivative of a Germanic proper name such as "Arn" or "Arnold", meaning "strong" or "mighty eagle". If it has a toponymic origin, it could be related to places that have names derived from "Arn" or similar, in Germanic or Scandinavian regions.
In terms of structure, the surname does not present typical Spanish or Latin suffixes, such as "-ez" or "-o", which reinforces the hypothesis of a Germanic or Scandinavian origin. The presence of variants in different languages, such as "Arnell" in English or "Arnell" in Swedish, also indicates a common root in the Germanic languages.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The probable origin of the surname Arnell is in the Germanic or Scandinavian regions, where surnames based on names of animals or symbols, such as "eagle", were common in the formation of names and surnames. The presence in countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom suggests that it may have developed in these areas, where patronymic and toponymic traditions were frequent since the Middle Ages.
The expansion into North America, especially the United States, probably occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries, in the context of European migrations. Migration from Scandinavia and the British Isles to the New World was significant in that period, and many Germanic and Scandinavian surnames settled in these new lands, in some cases adapting to local forms.
The presence in countries such as South Africa, Australia and Canada can also be explained by colonial migrations and population movements in the 19th and 20th centuries. The dispersion in these countries reflects historical patterns of European colonization and migration, in which surnames like Arnell spread widely in immigrant communities.
In Europe, its presence in countries such as Sweden, England, France and Germany indicates that the surname may have had an origin in one of these regions, subsequently spreading to other countries through migrations and interregional marriages. The lower incidence in Spanish-speaking countries and Mediterranean regions suggests that its expansion was more limited in those areas, possibly due to linguistic and cultural barriers.
Variants and Related Forms
The surname Arnell may have some spelling variants, depending on the region and language. In English, it is common to find the "Arnell" form, which maintains the original structure. In Swedish or other Scandinavian countries, it may appear as "Arnell" or"Arnellsson" in some cases, although the latter are more specific and patronymic.
In other languages, especially in regions where Germanic or Scandinavian influence was less, the surname may have been adapted or simplified. For example, in English-speaking countries, it could have become "Arnell" or "Arnall", depending on local spelling conventions.
There are also related surnames that share the root "Arn", such as "Arnold", "Arnason" or "Arnberg", which could be considered related in etymological terms. The common root "Arn" means "eagle", and in different regions and times, it has been used in the formation of numerous surnames and given names.
These variants reflect the geographical dispersion and the phonetic and orthographic adaptations that the surname has suffered over time, depending on the cultural and linguistic influences of each region.
