Cordell

Cordell is an English given name and surname, derived from an occupational surname meaning "maker of cord" or "seller of cord" in Middle English. It is a diminutive cognate of the French name Corde.

Etymology

The name originates from Middle English cord (from Old French corde, meaning "string" or "rope") combined with the diminutive suffix -ell, forming a name that described someone who made or sold cordage. This occupational surname became hereditary and was later adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries.

Notable Bearers

As a surname, Cordell is associated with the Cordell baronets, a title in the Baronetage of England, including Sir Robert Cordell, 1st Baronet (c. 1616–c. 1680) and his successors. Notable individuals with the given name or surname include:

• Alexander Cordell (pen name of George Graber, 1914–1997), Welsh novelist known for historical fiction.
• Denny Cordell (1943–1995), English record producer and racehorse trainer.
• Cathleen Cordell (1915–1997), American actress.
• Frank Cordell (1918–1980), British composer and conductor.
• LaDoris Cordell (born 1949), American judge and activist.
• Linda Cordell (1943–2013), American archaeologist specializing in the Southwest United States.
• Sir James Cordell, commander of the Confederate spy ship CSS Lark.

Distribution

Cordell is predominantly used in English-speaking countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. As a given name, it has moderate usage, while as a surname it is more common.

Variants

Variant spellings include Cordel. The name shares a root with Cory (a diminutive of Coral) and is unrelated to the river name Corde.

• Meaning: maker or seller of cord
• Origin: English occupational surname
• Type: Surname given as first name
• Usage: English, American