Contents [hide]

Tyrrell History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Tyrrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Tyrrell

What does the name Tyrrell mean?

The origins of the Tyrrell surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a stubborn or obstinate person. The surname Tyrrell is derived from the Old French word tirer, which means to draw. This is used in the same sense as the word tirand, which means "one who pulls on the reins;" thus it may be that it was used as a nickname for a stubborn person, before coming to be used as a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Tyrrell family

The surname Tyrrell was first found in Essex where one of the first records of the name is Walter Tirel III, (1065-c. 1100), Castellan of Pontoise and Lord of Poix, son of Walter Tirell II. 1

He is remembered for his involvement in the death of King William II (William Rufus) on a hunting trip in the New Forest on August 2nd, 1100. Some say it was an accident when Walter shot an arrow at a stag which glanced from the beast and struck King William II, while others disagree. 2

However, accordingly to chroniclers of the time, they parted at the beginning of the hunt on good terms, but the king was later found with one of the arrows given to Walter by the king in his chest. There is a stone in the Forest at Stoney Cross marking the spot where the King fell. 3

Walter's grandson Hugh Tyrrel (died 1199) took part in the Norman Conquest of Ireland where he became the first Baron of Castleknock and later took part in the Third Crusade.

Another distinct branch of the family was found at Gipping in Suffolk. "This place, which takes its name from the small river Gipping, is the property of C. Tyrell, Esq., whose ancestor, Sir Walter Tyrell, Knt., held the lordship at the time of the Domesday survey." 4

Early History of the Tyrrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tyrrell research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1370, 1412, 1423, 1450, 1502, 1597, 1617, 1623, 1642, 1643, 1661, 1676, 1701 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Tyrrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyrrell Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Tyrrell has been spelled many different ways, including Tyrell, Terrell, Terrill, Tyrill, Turrell, Tirell, Tyrrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Tyrrell family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir James Tyrrell (c.1450-1502), an English knight, a trusted servant of King Richard III of England
Sir Timothy Tyrrell (1617-1701), from Oakley, Buckinghamshire, Master of the Buckhounds to King Charles

Tyrrell Ranking

In the United States, the name Tyrrell is the 6,374^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Tyrrell family to Ireland

Some of the Tyrrell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyrrell migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Tyrrells to arrive in North America:

Tyrrell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Tyrrell, who arrived in Virginia in 1667 6

Tyrrell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Michael Tyrrell, who arrived in America in 1739

Tyrrell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Tyrrell, who arrived in New York in 1837 6
Bridget Tyrrell, who was on record in Pittsburgh in 1854

Tyrrell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tyrrell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Robert Tyrrell, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Robert Tyrrell, who arrived at Halifax in 1749

Tyrrell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Tyrrell, who settled in Canada in 1827
James Tyrrell, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland
Mary Tyrrell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1836
Miss. Catherine Tyrrell, aged 15 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Syria" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in May 1847 7
Ms. Catherine Tyrrell, aged 26 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Syria" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tyrrell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tyrrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Lawrence Tyrrell, (Tyrell), (b. 1799), aged 23, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Richard Tyrrell, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life , transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Robert Tyrrell, a baker, who arrived in Van Diemenâ€™s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. Benjamin Tyrrell who was convicted in Buckinghamshire, England for life, transported aboard the "England"on 31st March 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. Thomas Tyrrell, aged 27, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tyrrell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Tyrrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

W R Tyrrell, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck"
Thomas Tyrrell, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842
Miss Judith Tyrrell, (b. 1842), aged 20, British dairymaid travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 11
Walter Tyrrell, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Douglas" in 1873
Alfred Tyrrell, aged 19, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Tyrrell (post 1700) +

Joseph Burr Tyrrell (1858-1957), Canadian explorer and geologist, discoverer of the dinosaur Albertosaurus in Alberta in 1884, eponym of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta
Edith Jane Tyrrell (1921-2012), née Armistead, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Susan Tyrrell (1945-2012), born Susan Jillian Creamer, an American Academy Award nominated actress, known for her roles in Cry-Baby (1990), Powder (1995) and Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981)
Emmett Tyrrell (b. 1943), American conservative magazine editor, New York Times bestselling author, and columnist
William Tyrrell, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1872 12
John F. Tyrrell, American Republican politician, Illinois Republican State Chair, 1937, 1945; Member of Illinois Republican State Central Committee, 1943 12
Francis X. Tyrrell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1912, 1928; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Massachusetts 9th District, 1926 12
Chester W. Tyrrell, American Republican politician, First Selectman of Monroe, Connecticut, 1920-27; Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Monroe; Elected 1930 12
Robert Kenneth "Ken" Tyrrell (1924-2001), British Formula Two racing driver and the founder of the Tyrrell Formula One constructor
Sir Murray Louis Tyrrell KCVO, CBE (1913-1994), Official Secretary to the Governor General of Australia from 1947 to 1973
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Tyrrell family +

Hillsborough disaster

Kevin Tyrrell (1973-1989), English schoolboy who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 13

HMS Repulse

Mr. Frederick Levi Tyrrell, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 14

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 58)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html