Parnell Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Parnell last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
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Meaning and origin of the Parnell last name
Meaning of the Parnell last name: little Peter. Parnell is an English surname from the medieval woman's name Pernel, a pet form of Petronilla, derived from Peter. It is found in southern England and Ireland. Charles Stewart Parnell led the Irish Home Rule movement. Purnell is a related last name.
Arms associated with the Parnell name
Heraldry associated with the Parnell surname uses a few strong colours, and each coat of arms has its own blazon.
Get your full Parnell family history
This is only a glimpse of the Parnell story. The full Parnell history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Parnell coat of arms. Get the full Parnell report.
Parnell name FAQ
What does the Parnell name mean?
Little Peter. Common variants include Pernell, Purnell.
Where does the Parnell surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Parnell coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Parnell coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).