The name Russel has its origins in the French language and the Old French word "rous" or "roux", which means red or reddish. This likely referred to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. It is also closely related to the Old German name "Rodolphus" and the ancient Frankish name "Hrodulf".

Some linguists believe the name Russel can be traced back to the Roman family name "Rubrius", meaning red. The spelling of Russel with a double 's' is thought to have emerged in England during the Norman conquest in the 11th century.

The earliest recorded example of the name Russel dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land ownership in Norman England commissioned by William the Conqueror. It lists a landowner named "Russel de Dovre" in Hampshire.

In the 12th century, a prominent Norman family took the name "de Rosel" or "de Russell" and played an important role in English history. One member, Odoard de Rosel, was a military leader who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066.

Sir William Russell (c. 1287-1349) was an English military veteran who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Hundred Years' War. He was knighted by Edward III and became a prominent landowner in Dorset.

John Russell (c. 1486-1555) was an English statesman who served as Lord Privy Seal under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He played a key role in the English Reformation and was created Earl of Bedford in 1550.

William Russell (1639-1683) was an English Whig politician who was implicated in the Rye House Plot to assassinate King Charles II. He was convicted of treason and executed in 1683.

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was a renowned British philosopher, logician, mathematician, and social critic. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 "in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought".