Find out how popular the first name Ancel has been for the last 44 years (from 1976 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ancel by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Ancel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 10 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ancel.

The history of the first name Ancel

The name Ancel originates from the Old French language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic name Anselm, which means "divine protection" or "God's helmet." The name gained popularity during the Carolingian dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Ancel can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as a variant spelling of Anselm, indicating its use among the Norman nobility who settled in England after the Norman Conquest.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Ancel. One of the most famous was Ancel the Monk, a 12th-century Benedictine monk and historian from the Abbey of St. Riquier in Picardy, France. He is known for his chronicle, Chronicon Centulense, which documented the history of his monastery and the region.

Another prominent figure was Ancel Britten (1530-1587), an English composer and lutenist during the Renaissance period. He served as a musician in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and is renowned for his contributions to the development of the English lute song.

In the realm of literature, Ancel Feuerbach (1829-1880) was a German novelist and playwright. His works, including the novel Der Neue Tanhäuser (The New Tannhäuser), explored themes of romanticism and German mythology.

Moving into the modern era, Ancel Keys (1904-2004) was an American scientist renowned for his groundbreaking research on the Mediterranean diet and its impact on heart health. His work laid the foundation for our understanding of the relationship between diet and cardiovascular disease.

Finally, Ancel Nunn (1925-2011) was an American lawyer and civil rights advocate. He played a significant role in the desegregation of public schools in Oklahoma and was instrumental in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case that ended racial segregation in public schools nationwide.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ancel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ancel, please contact us.

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