Surname Modrell - Meaning and Origin

Modrell: What does the surname Modrell mean?

The last name Modrell is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word modor meaning 'mother.' This name is believed to be derived from a patronymic form of an ancestor's given name, often passed down from the mother's or maternal side of the family.

Modrell is an occupational name, as it refers to someone who was in the business of making and selling mufflers or aprons. This was likely due to the old English words modr meaning ‘apron’ and rell meaning ‘seller’. It is thought that this name may have been popular among linen weavers in medieval England, as their protective garments and loom aprons were known for their durability and were often sold to other tradesmen.

This last name is associated with many different spellings, including Moderell, Modrell, Modral, Modreel, Moderel, Modrelln, Moderaine, and Maderall. Variations of the Modrell surname originated in many different parts of England, including Kent, Essex, Somerset, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire.

Today, the Modrell name is found across the English-speaking world. It was brought to the Americas during British colonization, and can be found in many regions of Canada and the United States. There are still communities of original English bearers of the surname in the United Kingdom, and there are members of the Modrell family in many other countries across the world.

Modrell: Where does the name Modrell come from?

The surname Modrell is most commonly found in the United States, with the majority of its population in the state of California. Some other states in which the surname is prevalent are Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Looking at a map of the US, Modrells are generally dispersed throughout the country, with much higher concentrations on the west coast.

The surname Modrell is an Americanized version of a Germanic surname. It is likely a variant of the name Mödrell or Müdrell, both of which are common German family names. The root word of both names likely comes from the Old German word möd, meaning “courageous” or “strong”, which is solidified with the suffix -drell or -dreil, an old German variant of the English word “trail.”

The Modrells living in the United States are most likely descended from German immigrants who made their way to the country in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but it is unclear precisely where they originated from. Some Modrells are associated with distinct shame clans, such as the family living in Wisconsin, which is part of the Modrell-Rudel clan, and the family living in the Southwest, which is part of the Modrell-Meier clan.

One interesting thing to note is that the surname Modrell is not limited to one particular ethnicity or group. In fact, there have been Modrells sharing the same name that have a wide range of backgrounds, from Jewish, Mexican, and even African-American. This speaks to the tremendously varied heritage of the Modrell family and also to the many journeys our ancestors took to reach the US.

Variations of the surname Modrell

The variants, spellings and surnames of Modrell include Modrel, Marrell, Modrill, Modriel, Modral, Model and Madrell.

Modrell is believed to have originated from a French geographical location. The origin of this surname is traced back to a place called Modrée in Normandy, France. It is a topographical name which denotes someone who originally lived in the area of Modrée. The name may also be derived from the Old French word “moder”, which means “middle”. It may also be derived from the Old French word “modaret,” which means “respected”.

The surname Modrell is known to have been used in England in northern parts of the country or in areas bordering the sea. It is a relatively uncommon surname but in modern times, the surname Modrell is particularly widespread in the United States.

The surname Modrell is known to have been used in a variety of spellings, including Modrell, Modrel, Marrell, Modrill, Modriel, Modral, Model and Madrell. These variations are often attributed to the fact that there were no standard spelling conventions in medieval times, scribes and church officials tending to record a person’s name according to its sound rather than its spelling.

Famous people with the name Modrell

• Matthew Modrell, celebrity hairdresser and actor.
• Dirk Modrell, German saxophonist and jazz musician.
• Jeremiah Modrell, former member of the US House of Representatives.
• Angel Modrell, former head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
• Robert Modrell, American comedian.
• John Modrell, former American football player.
• Christopher Modrell, US Air Force veteran and author of the book ‘America’s Best: A Nation's History Through its Heroes’.
• Darrick Modrell, Australian rugby union player.
• Savannah Modrell, American voiceover actress.
• Claudia Modrell, Swedish photographer.
• Charles Modrell, British-American film director.
• Caroline Modrell, English author.
• Samuel Modrell, British sculptor and artist.
• Nan Modrell, American painter and illustrator.
• Steven Modrell, former chairperson of the California Apparel News editorial board.
• William Modrell, American philanthropist.

Other surnames

Modrel