Bell is a surname common in English speaking countries with several word-origins.
The surname is derived from the Middle English bell. This surname likely originated as an occupational name for a bell ringer or bell maker; or else from a topographic name for someone who lived by an actual bell, or by a house sign or inn sign. In other cases, the surname Bell is derived from the mediaeval personal name Bel. The masculine form of this personal name is derived from the Old French beu, bel ("handsome"); the feminine form of the name represents a short form of Isobel. In some cases, the surname originates from a nickname, or descriptive name, derived from the Old French bel ("beautiful", "fair"). In some cases, the surname is derived from placenames in Norway (Bell) and Germany (Bell in Rhineland; and possibly Belle, in Westphalia). The surname Bell is also sometimes an Anglicized form of the German Böhl or Böll.. This webpage is a partial transcription of .
Early attested forms of the surname when of a patronymic origin include: Ailuuardus "filius Belli", in 1086; Ricardus "filius Bell", in 1279; and Osbertus "filius Belle", in 1297. Early attested forms of the surname, when originating from an occupational name include: Seaman "Belle", in 1181–1187; and Serlo "Belle", in 1190. An early attested form of the surname when originating from someone who lived near a sign of a bell is: John "atte Belle", in 1332. Early attested forms of the surname when originating from nickname include: Hugo "bel" in 1148; and Robertus "bellus", and Robert "le bel", both in 1186–1200.. Today the surname Bell 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.
A Aaron Bell (musician) (1922–2003), American musician Aaron Bell (politician) (born 1980), British Conservative politician Acton Bell, pseudonym of Anne Brontë Adino Nye Bell (1866–1956), American politician Adolphus Bell (1944–2013), American musician Adrian Bell (1901–1980), English journalist and farmer; father of Martin Bell Al Bell (born 1940), American musical artist and executive Alden John Bell (1904–1982), Roman Catholic bishop Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922), Scottish-Canadian-American inventor, teacher, engineer, and scientist, son of Alexander Melville Bell Alexander Melville Bell (1819–1905), Scottish-American philologist, researcher and teacher, father of Alexander Graham Bell Alexandra Bell (artist) (born 1983), American artist Alexandra Bell (athlete) (born 1992), British middle-distance runner Alison Bell (disambiguation), 7 people including Alison Bell (actress) (born 1978), Australian actress Allan Bell (born 1947), Manx politician, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man Allan Bell (sociolinguist) (born 1947), New Zealand sociolinguist Allan Gordon Bell (born 1953), Canadian contemporary classical composer Alphonzo E. Bell Sr. (1875–1947), American oil millionaire; father of Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. (1914–2004), American politician Amanda Bell (born 1988), American Mixed Martial Artist Amari'i Bell (born 1994), footballer Amir Bell (born 1996), American basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League Andi Bell (born 1972), British Memory champion Andrew Bell (disambiguation), 9 people, including: Andrew Bell (engraver) (1726–1809), Scottish co-founder of the Encyclopædia Britannica Andrew Bell (educationalist) (1753–1832), Scottish pioneer of mutual instruction and author of the Madras System of Education Andrew Bell (judge) (born 1966), Australian judge Andy Bell (disambiguation), 9 people, including: Andy Bell (freestyle motocross rider) (born 1975), freestyle motocross rider Andy Bell (musician) (born 1970), guitarist with Ride, Hurricane #1 and bassist with Oasis Andy Bell (singer) (born 1964), singer with synth pop band Erasure Angellica Bell (born 1976), English television and radio presenter Anthea Bell (1936–2018), English translator of literary works including Asterix Anthony Bell (American football) (born 1964), Retired American gridiron football player Anthony Bell (director) (born 1970), American animator, film director and screenwriter Aran Bell (born 1998) American ballet dancer Archie Bell (singer) (born 1944), American musician Arthur Bell (disambiguation), 11 people, including: Art Bell (1945–2018), American broadcaster and author Arthur Hornbui Bell (1891–1973), Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey Arthur Bell (engineer) (1856–1943), New Zealand engineer Arthur Bell (journalist) (1939–1984), American journalist, author and LGBT rights activist
See also
Alexandra Bell (disambiguation) (2 people)
B Beau Bell (1907–1977), American baseball player Beau Bell (American football), (born 1986), American gridiron football player Ben Bell, New Zealand politician Benny Bell (1906–1999), American singer-songwriter Bert Bell (1895–1959), American football player, coach, and executive Billy Bell (disambiguation), 15 people including: Bill Bell (mayor) (born 1941), American politician Bill Bell (American football) (1947–2022), American gridiron football player Bill Bell (businessman) (1932–2013), English football chairman Billy Bell (ice hockey) (1891–1952), Canadian ice hockey player Billy Bell (politician) (1935–2020), British politician Bob Bell (disambiguation), multiple people Bobby Bell (born 1940), American footballer Bradley Bell (born 1964), American television writer and producer Brenda Bell (1891–1979), pioneer amateur radio operator from New Zealand Brendan Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Brendan Bell (ice hockey) (born 1983), Canadian ice hockey defenceman Brendan Bell (politician) (born 1971), Canadian territorial level politician and former cabinet minister Brendan Bell (footballer) (1910–?), Scottish footballer Brian Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Brian Bell (born 1968), American musician Brian Bell (American football) (born 1984), American football fullback Brian Bell (basketball) (born 1989), American wheelchair basketball player Brian Bell (businessman) (1928–2010), Australian-born businessman in Papua New Guinea Brian Douglas Bell (1930–2016), New Zealand ornithologist Brian Murray (actor) (1937–2018), South African actor born Brian Bell Buddy Bell (born 1951), American baseball player Burton C. Bell (born 1969), American rock singer
See also
Beau Bell (disambiguation)
C Cammy Bell (born 1986), Scottish international football goalkeeper Carey Bell (1936–2007), American blues harpist Caroline M. Bell (1874–1970), American artist Caroline Bell, professor of psychological medicine in New Zealand Catherine Bell (actress) (born 1968), British-American actress Catherine J. Bell (born 1954), Canadian politician Charles Bell (1774–1842), Scottish surgeon Charles Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Charles Bell (surveyor) (1813–1882), Scottish surveyor, general, artist, and designer Charles Bell (painter), (1935–1995), American Photorealist who created large scale still lifes. Charles H. Bell (politician) (1823–1893), American politician Charles H. Bell (naval officer) (1798–1875), United States naval officer Charlie Bell (baseball) (1868–1937), Major League Baseball pitcher Charlie Bell (businessman) ( – 2005), Australian businessman Charlie Bell (basketball) (born 1979), United States basketball player Chichester A. Bell, American sound engineer Chris Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Chris Bell (American musician) (1951–1978), American musician Chris Bell (director) (born 1972), American director, producer and writer Chris Bell (politician) (born 1959), American politician Christopher Bell (racing driver) (born 1994), American racing driver Clive Bell (1881–1964), British art critic and philosopher Coby Bell (born 1975), American actor and producer Connor Bell, multiple people, including: Connor Bell (footballer) (born 1996), English footballer Connor Bell (athlete) (born 2001), New Zealand athlete Connor Bell (racing driver), Canadian racing driver Colin Bell, multiple people Cool Papa Bell, American baseball player Currer Bell, pseudonym of Charlotte Brontë
D Daniel Bell (1919–2011), American sociologist Danna C. Bell, American archivist and librarian D'Anthony Bell (born 1996), American football player David Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: David Bell (baseball) (born 1972), American baseball player David Bell (basketball) (born 1981), American basketball player David Bell (television) (1936–1990), Scottish TV producer and director David Bell (field hockey player), Australian field hockey player David Bell (footballer, born 1984) (born 1984), English-born Irish footballer David Bell (footballer, born 1985) (born 1985), Irish footballer David Bell (VC), Irish soldier David A. Bell (born 1961), historian David Robert Bell (born 1959), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading Dean Bell (born 1962), New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach Demetress Bell (born 1984), American football offensive tackle Dennis Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Dennis Bell (Medal of Honor recipient) (1866–1953), Buffalo Soldier of the Spanish–American War Dennis Bell (basketball) (born 1951), American basketball player Derek Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Derek Bell (musician) (1935–2002), harpist Derek Bell (auto racer) (born 1941), British racing driver Derek Bell (baseball player) (born 1968), American baseball player Derrick Bell, American law professor Diane Bell (disambiguation), multiple people Dillon Bell (1822–1898), New Zealand politician Dillon Bell (American football) (born 2003), American football player Don Bell (disambiguation), multiple people Doug Bell (game designer) (born 1961), American computer game developer Douglas John Bell (1893–1918), South African World War I fighter ace Drake Bell (born 1986), American actor and guitarist Drew Tyler Bell (born 1986), American actor and performer Duncan Bell, English rugby union player Duncan Bell (actor), Scottish actor
E Earl Bell (born 1955), American pole vaulter Edith Anna Bell (1870–1929) Irish sculptor Edward Bell (disambiguation), multiple people Edmond Bell, English MP Eileen Bell (born 1943), Northern Ireland politician Eileen Bell (artist) (1907–2005), British artist Elizabeth Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Elizabeth Bell (doctor) (1869–1934), Ireland's first woman doctor Elizabeth Bell (actress) (1941–2012), British actress who played stage and screen Elizabeth Bell (composer) (1928–2016), founder of the New York Women Composers, Inc. Ellis Bell, pseudonym of Emily Brontë Emily Bell (born 1965), British journalist Emma Bell (born 1986), American actress Eric Temple Bell (1883–1960), American mathematician Ernest Bell (animal rights activist) (1851–1933), British author, animal rights activist, humanitarian, and vegetarian Ernest Bell (footballer), English footballer
F Francis Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Francis Bell (actor) (1944–1994), UK-born New Zealand actor Francis Bell (New Zealand politician) (1851–1936), Prime Minister of New Zealand Francis Bell (engineer) (1813–1879), British railway engineer Francis Campbell Bell (1892–1968), politician in Manitoba, Canada Frank Bell, multiple people, including: Frank Bell (baseball) (1863–1891), Major League Baseball player Frank T. Bell (1883–1970), U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries (1933–1939) Frederick William Bell (1875–1954), Australian soldier
G Gary Bell (baseball) (born 1936), American Major League Baseball pitcher Gary Bell (footballer) (born 1947), English (soccer) footballer Geoff Bell (disambiguation), multiple people, including: Geoff Bell (rugby league), Australian rugby league footballer Geoff Bell (actor) (born 1963), British actor Geoffrey Bell (1939–2025), economist, banker Geoffrey Bell (cricketer) (1896–1984), English cricketer and educationalist