Purnell is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the English surname Purcell, which was originally an occupational name for a fuller, someone who processed wool by beating it with a wooden club or " Fuller's hammer" to make it thicker and warmer. The name Purnell has been used as both a first name and a surname throughout history.
The earliest record of the name Purnell can be traced back to the 13th century in England, where it was first found in Bedfordshire. It is believed that the name was brought to America by early English settlers who migrated to the New World during the colonial period.
Purnell has not been a particularly popular name throughout history, but it has been carried by notable individuals nonetheless. One famous bearer of the name was Purnell Sutcliffe, an English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club and England in the early 20th century.
Today, Purnell remains a rare but intriguing given name choice. Its unique sound and English origins make it an appealing option for parents looking for a distinctive name with historical roots. While it may not be as widely recognized or commonly used as some other names, those who bear the name Purnell carry with them a sense of individuality and rarity that sets them apart from others.
The name Purnell has seen a varied history of usage in the United States over the past century. Between 1913 and 2010, there were a total of 762 babies named Purnell born in the U.S., with yearly birth counts fluctuating significantly.
The name's popularity peaked in 1944, with a notable 18 births that year. This was followed by another spike in 1963 and 1964, with 17 and 19 babies named Purnell respectively. These years appear to be outliers, however, as the name's usage remained relatively low throughout most of its history.
Interestingly, there were no recorded births of the name Purnell between 1987 and 2002, indicating a significant gap in its usage during this period. Since 2003, there have been fewer than ten births per year, with the most recent data showing five births in 2010.
Overall, while Purnell has not been one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a steady, if small, presence throughout much of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Its peaks in popularity suggest that it may have had periods of vogue among certain communities or generations, but its overall usage remains uncommon compared to more mainstream names.