The name Ezell is believed to have originated from the Hebrew language and culture, with its roots dating back to ancient times. It is thought to be a variation or diminutive form of the name Ezekiel, which means "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen" in Hebrew.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Ezekiel can be found in the Book of Ezekiel, a book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Ezekiel was a Hebrew prophet who lived during the Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BCE. His prophetic writings are contained within the book that bears his name.

The earliest known person with the name Ezell was Ezell Bland, an American baseball player who was born in 1909 and played professionally in the Negro leagues during the 1930s and 1940s. Another notable figure with this name was Ezell Crudup, an American blues singer and musician who was born in 1920 and is best known for his song "That's All Right," which was later covered by Elvis Presley.

In the field of politics, Ezell Lee Jr. was an American lawyer and judge who served as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 1967 to 1981. He played a significant role in the desegregation of public schools in Arkansas during the Civil Rights Movement.

Ezell Wesley Pearson, born in 1903, was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to South Korea from 1961 to 1964 and later as the Ambassador to the United Arab Republic (present-day Egypt) from 1964 to 1967.

Another historical figure with the name Ezell was Ezell Singleton, an American football player who played as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints in the 1970s and 1980s.

While the name Ezell may not be as common as some other names, it has a rich history and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries, each contributing to the legacy and significance of this name.