Surname Marcel - Meaning and Origin

Marcel: What does the surname Marcel mean?

The surname "Marcel" is of French origin. The name is a pet form of the personal name Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus which was inspired by Mars, the Roman god of war. Over time, the name was given to children who were born in the month of March, or to individuals who displayed warrior-like characteristics. As a surname, "Marcel" could have developed as a nickname and later transformed into a hereditary surname. Today, it is used widely across France, Spain, and into the New World. It is also known in different variations and spellings, depending on the region and local traditions. It is important to note that the meaning of a surname can vary and change over time and location.

Marcel: Where does the name Marcel come from?

The surname Marcel is of French origin and is derived from the personal name "Marcellus," which in turn, is a diminutive form of Marcus. Marcus comes from Mars, the Roman god of war, making Marcel essentially mean “little warrior”. The name Marcellus was popular among the Romans and it remained common in Christendom, due to having been borne by two popes.

As a surname, Marcel is occasional in France, and it is often used as a first name. Although it can be found in different parts of the world today due to migration, it remains especially common in French-speaking countries such as France and Canada. It is also somewhat common in non-Francophone countries in Europe, such as the Netherlands and Germany. In the United States, it is more often used as a first name among those of French descent. Overall, the use of Marcel as a surname is less common than as a given name.

Variations of the surname Marcel

The surname Marcel has a few variants and spellings that may derive from the same origin. The name, originating from a personal name Marcus in Latin, has spread across various countries and adapted different forms. Variations include Marcell, Marceli, Marcelo, Marcellus, Marsellus, Marcely, and Marselli. Marcial and Martial also seemingly belong to the same root. The feminine variants include Marcella and Marcelina.

In France, the surname has close relatives such as Marc, Marcelin, and March, which are shorter variants. It is sometimes combined with other words resulting in compound names like Jeanmarcel or Marcellet. In Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, Marcell can transform into Marcelo or Marçal, while in Italy Marceli, Marcelli, or Marzullo are prevalent. The German form of the name is Markel.

In terms of surnames that are based on the same origin, it includes surnames derived from the name Marcus. For example, Markus, Markos, Markovich, and the English versions of Mark and Marks are related by origin. Please note there might be other variants of the surname Marcel due to regional dialects and variations in language.

Famous people with the name Marcel

• Marcel Marceau: Famous French mime
• Marcel Reif: German sports journalist
• Marcel Duchamp: French painter and sculptor
• Marcel Proust: French essayist and novelist
• Marcel Pagnol: French filmmaker and novelist
• Marcel Bozzuffi: French film and stage actor
• Marcel Carne: French director and screenwriter
• Marcel Desailly: French footballer
• Marcel Cerdan: French heavyweight boxer
• Marcel Dassault: French industrialist and founder of Dassault Aviation

Other surnames

MarcelisMarcell