The Urell Family History

What Does the Urell Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Urell is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words ‘ora,’ meaning iron ore, and ‘hyll,’ signifying a hill. Variants of the name include Orell, Orrel, and Orrell. The earliest Urell families are documented in Lancashire, England, from which many descendants migrated to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire before continuing south to London and further into Kent, Surrey, and Devon. In Wales, Urell families can be found in Glamorgan county. In the United States, the Urell lineage has been notably present in states such as New York, Minnesota, North Dakota, California, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. A notable individual bearing this surname is M. Emmet Urell, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor during the Civil War.