Russell Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Russell Name Meaning: This surname originates from the French nickname 'Rousseau' meaning 'the little red-haired'.

A popular surname in Great Britain which derives from the French surname 'Roussel' meaning 'red-haired' which was was probably used as a nickname for red-haired people of someone with a 'ruddy' complection.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Russell Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Russell family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 5,445
Agricultural Labourer 544
General Labourer 270
Dress Maker 256
Labourer 239
Domestic Servant 233
General Servant 182
Laundress 170
Annuitant 136
Farm Labourer 133
Carpenter 117
Coal Miner 114
Gardener 105
Charwoman 86
Bricklayer 83
House Keeper 78
Servant 78
General Servant Domestic 74
No Occupation 69
Tailor 66
Farmers Son 65
Painter 62
Shoe Maker 60
Joiner 55
Tailoress 53

Russell Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Russell 100% 193,393
2 Russel 86% 9,313
3 Rossall 71% 2,505
4 Rusell 86% 1,288
5 Rossell 86% 1,171
6 Russall 86% 738
7 Rassell 86% 390
8 Ressell 86% 271
9 Russill 86% 174
10 Roussell 88% 152
11 Russele 86% 128
12 Rosselli 75% 126
13 Rissell 86% 106

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The surname Russell is the most popular version of all its varients

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