Bell (surname)

Bell (surname)

Bell is an ancient surname first found in Dumfriesshire Scotland of uncertain origin. One possible origin is that it stems from the French word "belle" meaning beauty. Another is that it originates from Middle English belle ‘bell’, in various applications; most probably a metonymic occupational name for a bell ringer or bell maker, or a topographic name for someone living ‘at the bell’ (as attested by 14th-century forms such as John atte Belle). This indicates either residence by an actual bell (e.g. a town’s bell in a bell tower, centrally placed to summon meetings, sound the alarm, etc.) or ‘at the sign of the bell’. Yet another possible origin is that it could have originally indicated the son of someone names Bell (e.g. Isabel or Christabel). While there is no particular country of origin, the name was prevalent in medieval Scotland and England. Today the Bell family name can be found in many parts of the world. It is the 67th most popular surname in the United States and the 36th most common surname in Scotland.