Surname Pickrell - Meaning and Origin

Pickrell: What does the surname Pickrell mean?

The surname Pickrell is of English origin and is derived from occupations or locations associated with the original bearer. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a pointed hill, derived from the Middle English term "pik" or "pick", meaning a pick or pointed tool, and "hill". On the other hand, it could also have derived from the non-localized surname Pichrel, which is from Old English words "pic" referring to a pointed object or pick, and "hyll" for hill. Like many surnames, over time, it has transformed into various spellings such as Pickhill, Pikhall, Pykhall, or Pikrel. The name is not very common and is mostly found in England with some presence in the United States, tying the bearers to their ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. The use of occupational or topographic names was common in the Middle Ages as a method of identifying individuals, but the exact reference of Pickrell remains somewhat vague due to its potential various sources. As with many surnames, specific meaning can be difficult to trace due to the evolution of language and regional influences.

Pickrell: Where does the name Pickrell come from?

The last name Pickrell is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern and midwestern regions. It is also found in other countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and England as a result of emigration during the 19th century.

In the United States, the Pickrell surname is especially prevalent in the states of Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee. It is also found in larger numbers in states such as Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia, although less-populated states such as South Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma also have residents with the Pickrell name.

The majority of Pickrells in the United States are descendants of British colonial settlers of the 18th century. The earliest Pickrell arrival to the US is thought to have been David Pickrell, who settled in Maryland in 1713. He was the ancestor of the Pickrells of Deerfield, Tennessee. By the late 19th century, Pickrell families had spread throughout the eastern and midwestern parts of the US, having moved for various reasons, including economic opportunities and the availability of land.

Overall, the Pickrell surname is a relatively common last name in the United States. Its presence reflects its long history in the country, with a wide and varied distribution from coast to coast.

Variations of the surname Pickrell

The surname Pickrell has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These names include Pickrell, Pickrel, Pickrell, Pickerall, Pyckrell, Pyckeley, Pickel, Picking, Pockel, Pyckering, Pyrkle, Piqueray, Pickering, Rickle, and Picquerey.

The origin of the Pickrell family name is English. It is derived from the Old English word picheard, which was used to describe 'woods or thickets'. This was later adapted to the Middle English word pickhard which became the surname Pickard, Pyckard, and Picheard. The surname Pickard then developed further and spread to become Pickrell, Pickrel, Pickerall, Pyckrell, Pyckeley, Pickel, Picking, Pockel, Pyckering, Pyrkle, Piqueray, Pickering, Rickle, and Picquerey.

Pickrell could also be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacPhilib or MacPhilbin derived from the Irish name 'Mac a' Phíilbín' which means 'son of the Devil'. This surname is thought to be a nickname for someone who in some way, was similar in some way to the Devil.

Overall, the surname Pickrell is of English and Irish origin and has several forms, variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Pickrell

• Dr. Joseph Pickrell: He is a geneticist working as a senior scientist at 23andMe. He is a MacArthur Fellow and his work has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Sloan Foundation.
• Chris Pickrell: He is an Australian artist known for his photography, painting, sculpture, and 3D printing artworks. His work has been exhibited in many countries worldwide.
• Sean Pickrell: He is an American martial artist and actor. He is best known as aElectra stuntman in the movie The Matrix and has made appearances in other films such as The Spiderwick Chronicles, Million Dollar Baby, and Transformers.
• Lynn Pickrell: She is a New Zealand actress and filmmaker who has been featured in a number of projects, including television series such as Australia's Switched and All Saints, as well as the films Perfect Strangers and Playdate.
• David Pickrell: He is an American basketball executive, who has been the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA since 2018.
• Leslie Pickrell: She is an American synchronized swimmer who has competed in two Summer Olympics and has won 11 national titles during her career.
• Tarn Pickrell: She is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and costume designer who has written and directed the award-winning short films Cardamom and Avvenire.
• Simon Pickrell: He is a British beekeeper and naturalist who has written extensively on bees and beekeeping. He has also been instrumental in advancing ethical beekeeping in the UK.
• Kris Pickrell: He is a former professional cyclist, having competed in the Tour de France for the US Postal team. These days he works as a coach and writer in the cycling industry.

Other surnames

Pickrel