The name Tyrell has its origins in the ancient French language, derived from the word "tyr", meaning a small village or hamlet. It is believed to have first emerged as a surname during the Middle Ages, referring to someone who hailed from a particular village or town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tyrell can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as a variant spelling, "Tirel", and is associated with individuals residing in various regions of England, including Sussex, Essex, and Suffolk.

In medieval times, the name Tyrell gained prominence through its association with a noble family that held significant power and influence in England. Sir Walter Tyrell, a knight who lived during the late 11th century, is believed to have been involved in the accidental death of King William II, known as William Rufus, during a hunting incident in the New Forest in 1100.

Another notable figure bearing the name Tyrell was Sir James Tyrell, a courtier and alleged co-conspirator in the disappearance and presumed murder of the Princes in the Tower, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, during the reign of Richard III in the 15th century.

In literature, the name Tyrell has been immortalized in William Shakespeare's play "Richard III", where the character Sir James Tyrell plays a pivotal role in the tragic events surrounding the Princes in the Tower.

Throughout history, there have been several other individuals who have carried the name Tyrell. One example is Tyrell Lomax (1770-1846), an English cricketer and landowner who played first-class cricket for Hampshire in the early 19th century.

Another notable figure was Sir John Tyrell (1597-1676), an English politician and member of Parliament during the English Civil War, who initially supported the Parliamentarian cause but later switched allegiance to the Royalists.

In more recent times, the name Tyrell has been associated with a number of individuals from various fields, including Tyrell Biggs (born 1960), a former professional boxer and Olympic gold medalist for the United States, and Tyrell Terry (born 2000), an American professional basketball player currently playing in the NBA.

While the name Tyrell may have originated as a surname, its distinctive and unique sound has contributed to its adoption as a given name in its own right, carrying with it a rich historical legacy and associations with noteworthy figures from various eras.