Surname Campell - Meaning and Origin

Campell: What does the surname Campell mean?

The last name Campell is of Scottish origin. It is derived from several Gaelic surnames, such as Mac Cathmhaoil and MacCathmhill. In both cases, the surnames mean "son of the battle chief" or "son of the wrangler." Both of these terms refer to a person with strong leadership qualities who is well-respected within their community.

Originally, the surname belonged to a powerful family from the Argyll area of Scotland. The Campbell clan possessed considerable influence in Scotland, their ancestral lands included much of the west highland territories. The family was also involved in the religious, political, and military affairs of the country.

The Campbell surname is one of the most numerous in Scotland, and has been well-represented among Scotland's population for centuries. It is believed to be the 8th most common Scottish surname. Today, you can find families bearing this surname on every continent, making it a truly global phenomenon.

Although the original spelling of Campbell has changed over the centuries, the meaning behind it remains constant. To carry the Campbell name is to maintain a history of strong leadership and a respected lineage.

Campell: Where does the name Campell come from?

The last name Campbell is most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The surname is derived from the Gaelic words ceann (meaning "head") and pel (meaning "peninsula" or "place"). According to records, the Campbell surname was first found in Argyllshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest in 1066. From that region, they migrated to many areas including Ireland, England, Wales, and North America.

In Scotland, the Campbell last name is known to be the most common among the clans. It is the seventh most common surname in Glasgow and the sixth most common across the whole of the country. Campbells also became well established in Ulster during the plantation period in the early 17th century, and the family name is among the twenty most common names in Ireland today.

The Campbell surname can be found in large numbers in the United States and Canada, particularly around New England and the East Coast. Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts all have larger populations of Campbells than Scotland, the country of origin. It is also quite common in other areas of North America, particularly Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick.

All in all, Campbell is a very common surname today, and although its ancestral roots link back to Scotland, it can be found in large numbers in many areas throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Campell

The surname Campell is believed to be of Scottish and northern Irish origin and is mostly derived from the Gaelic surname 'Caimbeul', meaning 'Crooked Mouth'. Variants of this surname include Cambell, Campball, Campbel, Campbelle, Campble, Campbell, Campbell-Bell, Campblell, Campblel, Cambel, Camble, Cammell, Camblel, Kaimbeul, Kaimblell, Kambel, Kamel, Kampell, Kembel, Kempbell, Kempel, and Kempsell.

Many of these variants of the surname Campell are borne from different parts of Northern Ireland. For example, the variant Campball is common in southern counties of Tyrone and Antrim, as well as County Down. Cambell is the most common in County Armagh, while Campble is most often found in County Fermanagh. Campbelle is common in County Londonderry and variations such as Kambel, Kamel and Kampell are found more in Ulster counties.

Spellings of the name Campell have also chanced over time for different reasons. For example, in the early records of Irish and Scottish names it was written as Campell, replete with two 'l's in the middle. However, due to various errors in the recording and printing of these documents it became commonplace to omit one of the 'l's when writing the name. This accounts for the Campbell spelling of the name seen today.

The Campell surname also has several surnames derived from it. These include: Cambell-Bell, Campblelle, Cammell, Kembel, Kempbell, Kempsell, Kaimblell and Kempel. These names typically derive when a family member or ancestor was given or took a variation of the original surname. This could have been due to a past marriage, adoption, or simply a decision made by an ancestor to change or alter the spelling for a variety of reasons.

Famous people with the name Campell

• Naomi Campbell: She is a British model and actress, notably best known for her work in the fashion industry.
• Glenn Campbell: He was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, television host and actor.
• Michael Campbell: He is a New Zealand former professional golfer.
• Colin Campbell (Lord Clyde): He was a British army officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second Opium Wars, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane: He was a Scottish peer and politician.
• Paul Campbell: He is a British actor, writer, and filmmaker, best known for his roles in TV series such as Spooks and Game Of Thrones.
• Alan Campbell: He is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tynemouth from 2005 to 2010.
• Stu Campbell: He is a British photojournalist who has worked for a variety of publications, including some of the world's leading newspapers and magazines.
• George Campbell: He was a Scottish physician and medical writer, of whom William Osler said, "I have an earnest desire to read Campbell's Pathology". 10.John Campbell: He is a former English cricketer who played for Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Other surnames

Campe