The surname Russell in Ireland

[keebleancestors]

I spent many years, well, decades really, finding my Scottish Catholic line, but was very surprised to discover a birthplace of Ireland when I hit the eighteenth century mark. I had always assumed the Russell surname to be solidly Scottish, maybe with a French origin, far enough back.

I cannot trace my Russells to Ireland as I only have names and rough dates, no place names, but just out of curiosity, do any of you have Russells in Ireland in the 18th century, and how common is this? Where did they come from?

(If anyone is interested James Russell was born 1793 Ireland, his wife Rose 1797. They settled in Edinburgh. James was a "Licensed Hawker" in 1851, a Hatter in 1861)

[Peggy13]

This will not help you I am sure, but my g grandmother's name was Jane Russell Spence, so feel that there is Russell in her lineage. She was born 1854 in Toberagnew, Co. Antrim, Ireland and baptised in Lylehill Presbyterian Church.  The family then emigrated to Canada.  Jane often gave her nationality as Scottish.
Peggy G.

[keebleancestors]

Thanks Peggy. I've heard of Irish people pretending to be Scottish before, in the New World, bit of a stigma to be Irish at one point apparently.

[Peggy13]

I hear you but I am not sure she was pretending.  Even my grandfather claimed Scottish heritage.  Haven't found further back than Jane's parents who were both born Ireland.
Peggy

[keebleancestors]

I'm not expert on the topic but I have a feeling there was quite a bit of movement back and forth between Ireland and Scotland. Maybe someone who knows more about it can comment here.

[leprechaun]

If you take a look at the G/Val: the surname Russell is all over Ireland.
          www.failteromhat.com

[keebleancestors]

Thanks Leprechaun - now, what do we know about this surname? What is its origins?

[leprechaun]

Known to be English,Scottish and Irish.
" Russell" began to appear in Irish Records after the Anglo-Norman invasion and is now numerous.
  It is anglieized form of the French Protestant Surname. "Rossel.
                                      Lep

[TF13]

hi,
according to the irish times surname index the name russell,ruiseil in irish,is especially numerous in ulster.a scottish and english name but introduced by the normans;in french-roussel,meaning red haired.although it was recorded at the invasion most russells came in the 16th and 17th centuries.

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID=

tony