The name Cornelius has its origins in the Roman family name Cornelius, which derived from the Latin word cornu, meaning "horn". It was a prominent patrician family in ancient Rome, with members playing influential roles throughout Roman history.

The name first gained prominence with Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a Roman dictator who lived from 138 BC to 78 BC. He was a powerful military leader and played a significant role in the Roman civil wars of the 1st century BC.

Another notable figure with the name Cornelius was Cornelius Nepos, a Roman biographer who lived from around 100 BC to 24 BC. He is best known for his work "De Viris Illustribus" (On Illustrious Men), which contained biographies of famous Greek and Roman figures.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Cornelius is mentioned as a Roman centurion who was the first Gentile convert to Christianity, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. This event marked a significant turning point in the early Christian church, as it opened the door for non-Jews to embrace the faith.

During the Middle Ages, the name Cornelius was popular among Christian families, particularly in Western Europe. One notable bearer of the name was Cornelius Jansen, a Dutch theologian and bishop who lived from 1585 to 1638. He was the founder of the theological movement known as Jansenism, which had a significant influence on Catholic thought.

In the 17th century, Cornelius Vermuyden was a Dutch engineer and land drainage pioneer who played a crucial role in the draining of the Great Level of the Fens in eastern England. He lived from 1590 to 1677 and his work transformed vast areas of marshland into arable farmland.

Other notable individuals named Cornelius include Cornelius Evertsen the Elder, a 17th-century Dutch naval officer and admiral who fought against the English and Swedish fleets during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, and Cornelius Tacitus, a Roman historian who lived from around 56 AD to 120 AD and is known for his detailed chronicles of the Roman Empire.