The Carnall Family History

What Does the Carnall Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Carnall is of English origin, signifying a stone heap located on a moorland. The highest concentration of individuals bearing the surname can be found predominantly in the northern regions of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. This surname has several variations, including but not limited to Carnell, Cornal, Cornevale, Cornelle, Curnow, Carnewell, and Cornwall. The earliest instances of the Carnall name in America trace back to the 1640s and 1650s, when the first members of this family arrived in the colonies of Maryland and Virginia. In the United States, Carnall families have historically resided in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, later expanding into the Midwest around the Great Lakes region. Among notable figures associated with this surname is Ella Howison Carnall, who distinguished herself as the first female professor at the University of Arkansas in the late 19th century; in recognition of her contributions, a hall on campus was named in her honor in 1906.