The Tyrrell Family History

What Does the Tyrrell Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Tyrrell is predominantly of English origin, tracing its roots back to the Old French word 'tirel,' which denotes a person characterized by stubbornness. Additionally, there exists an Old Danish equivalent, 'thorold. ' Within England, families bearing the Tyrrell surname can primarily be found in the counties of Lancashire, Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, and Surrey. In Scotland, they are present in Lanarkshire and Midlothian. In Ireland, the name is notably located in Wicklow, Kildare, and the Leinster region. The town of Tyrrellspass in County Westmeath derives its name from Captain Richard Tyrrell, who lived during the 16th century. The Tyrrell surname has several variations, including Tyrell, Turle, Tyroll, Turrill, Terrell, Tirrell, and Terrell. The earliest Tyrrell families migrated to the Virginia colony in the late 17th century and continued to establish themselves there into the early 18th century. By the 19th century, descendants of the Tyrrell lineage had relocated to various states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, New York, Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois. Notable individuals with this surname include Joseph Burr Tyrrell, the Canadian geologist and paleontologist credited with discovering dinosaur bones, specifically the Albertosaurus, in Alberta, Canada; he is also the namesake of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Other prominent figures include Murray Tyrrell, an acclaimed Australian winemaker; Tom Tyrrell, a renowned rugby player from Australia; Emmett Tyrrell, a writer and magazine editor; Susan Tyrrell, an Irish actress known in the United States; Dr. David Tyrrell, a former director of the Cold Research Institution; and Robert Ken Tyrrell, a British professional auto racing driver and founder of the Tyrrell Formula One team, who resides in the United States.