Origins of the name Russell
There is no doubt that the name comes from Norman French, however, there is some dispute as to it's exact origins.
Surnames were introduced into Britain by the Normans after the conquest in 1066, often they derive from place names, jobs or a nickname.
Some say Russell is derived from the French Rous, meaning red, indicating the bearers had red hair. But there is evidence that the family started in northern France. In view of a recent genetic study of people surnamed Sykes, which showed that they all have the same genetic origins, the same may also be true of the Russells
There are various French forms of the name, common in nothern France:
ROSSEL Rosel(l), Roselt, Rozel, Roosels, Roossel, Rossels, Rosselle, Roselle(n), Rosseel(s), Roseel, Rosielle, Rousseel, Rousse(le), Rouselle, Roussiel, Ross(e)au, Ross(i)au, Ros(s)ias, Roseau(x), Rosaux, Rousseau(x), Rouceau, Rouzaud, Roussiau(x), Roussieau, Roussia, Lerousseaux, Rousso, Rossay, Ros(s)eeuw, Rousse(e)euw, Roussel, Ros(i)euw, Rouseu, Rouzeeuw, Rossau(w), Rossou(w), Russel, - ell(e), Russiaux, Russo, Reselle
The Dukes of Bedford share this family name, let us consider their origins.
The family were originally Vikings, but Rollo the Viking settled in Normandy, in northern France, in the area of Briquebec around 912. He claimed descent from Thor and Odin, the Norse gods. In Normandy he changed his name to Drago, which was easier to pronounce. The family used the name du Rozel possibly from around 1012 and there are records from 1066 of it's use.
Hugh Bertrand born in 1021 and became lord of Barneville and le Rozel, in the Barony of Briquebec. In the same year Hugh de Rozel was born and it was he who constructed the castle at Le Rozel, near Caen.
The Russell coat of arms shows a lion rampant, this comes from the shield of the
Bertrands, which showed a lion rampant and a crown.
The family moved to Britain with William the
conqueror in 1066 where they were given lands.
The family motto is Che Sara Sara, translated from the Latin means, 'what will be will be'
The name is common is Scotland
and bearers are entitled to the wear tartan. It is
first recorded in Scotland in 1180.
Bibliography: Historic memoirs
of the House of Russell, J. H. Wiffen MRLS 1833
Thanks to Isabelle Nimal for research in France
