The name Cecil has its origins in the Latin name Caecilius, which is derived from the Latin word "caecus," meaning "blind." The name entered the English language through the Norman French form "Cécile."

In ancient Rome, Caecilius was a common Roman family name, and it was borne by several notable historical figures, including the Roman statesman and philosopher Caecilius Statius, who lived in the 2nd century BC.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Cecil can be found in the 12th century, when it was used by the English nobleman Cecil of Sceaun. In the Middle Ages, the name became popular among the Norman aristocracy in England.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with Sir William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1520-1598), who served as Lord High Treasurer and principal advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. His son, Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612), also played a crucial role in the English government as Secretary of State.

Another notable bearer of the name was Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore (1605-1675), the founder of the Maryland colony in British North America. He established the settlement of St. Mary's City in 1634, which became the first capital of the colony.

In literature, the name appears in works such as William Shakespeare's play "Richard III," where the character Lord Grey mentions "Cecil, Underhill, and the good Sir Robert Brackenbury."

Other notable figures named Cecil include Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), the British businessman and politician who founded the territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia), and Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959), the renowned American filmmaker known for epic productions such as "The Ten Commandments" and "The Greatest Show on Earth."