Russell Family Tree research resources
Explore the detail of the Russell Family History using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Genealogy !
![]() | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 36558 people with the Russell surname? In that year Russell was ranked number 82 for popularity in the UK. |
Can we take a minute of your time?
This is our amazing granddaughter Ellie.
Ellie was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Spina Bifida is where the spine and spinal cord don't develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. This can cause a number of difficulties including weakness or paralysis of the legs. Many babies with Spina Bifida also develop Hydrocephalus which, as in Ellie's case, sometimes needs an operation to insert a tube that drains excess fluid from the brain.
Children like Ellie are supported by the Shine Charity who provide specialist advice and support for the children and their families. Shine relies on donations to do this essential work and, this year, Ellie's uncle Dave will be running in the London Marathon to raise money for Shine. Obviously, we realise that requesting complete strangers to donate money to the charity is a bit of an ask but, now that you've read this far, perhaps you would consider taking a little bit more of your time to make a small donation to this very worthy cause at Dave's JustGiving Page? Thank you!
1921 England and Wales Census records are now available!
On 6 January 2022 the 1921 England and Wales Census records were made available online via the FindMyPast website. The records have been indexed and are searchable via the usual methods. Initially, these records are only viewable on a pay-per-view basis and are not included in any of FindMyPast's existing subscriptions.
Russell records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Russell family tree. Many large databases are available to search covering from births, deaths and marriages, military records, census records and immigration records with many other smaller collections too. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
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Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Russell family. |
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Ancestry.com US records search results for the Russell family. |
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Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Russell family. |
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Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Russell family. |
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Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Russell family. |
Historical References
"RUSSEL, RUSSELL. As this name in Scots occurs twice with 'dictus' and never with 'de' it is most probably a diminutive of rous, 'red, (cf. Dauzat, p. 95). Chaucer (Nonne Prestes Tale) calls the fox 'Daun Russel' alluding to his reddish color. Walter Russell witnessed a charter by Walter filius Alani to the Abbey of Paisley, c. 1164-77 (RMP., p. 87). John, son of Robert Russel of Doncanlaw, granted these lands to the Hospital of Soltre in pure and perpetual alms between 1180-1220 (Soltre, p. 5). Robert Russel witnessed a composition aueiit the lands of Threpland, 1259 (REA., i, p. 27), and another Robert Russel of Berwickshire rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, it, p. 207). Andreas dictus Russell was bailie of Aberdeen, 1310 (REA., i, p. 40), William dictus Russelle is mentioned, c. 1320 (RMS., i, 26), Adam Rossel was received to the king of England's peace in 1321 (Bain, in, 724), and William Russell was tenant in the vill of Dalfubill, 1376 (RHM., i, p. Ivii). Jerome Russell, a Greyfriar, was burned at the stake in 1539 for heresy along with John Kennedy in the High street of Glasgow. Rossell 1528, Rousel c. 1250, Rusel 1514, Russale 1537, Russall 1513, Russsfule 1529, Rwsall 1521 "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. A DNA test can sometimes help to make a link to a particular family name if you find you share common DNA with people who have the same or similar surnames as each other. If you are lucky then you may get a match within a few generations and discover some Russell ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Russell Tree?
Visit our Russell DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Russell Family History
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Russell Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources below you will be able to find a birth record and, from that, a birth certificate can be ordered which lists the names of the mother and father, taking you back another generation in your tree. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Russell family tree.
Investigate Russell Parish Records at Find My Past.
Study the UK registered births, marriages and deaths of the Russell family using the FreeBMD database.
Search Genealogy Bank for Russell family records.
Check out MyHeritage for Russell family data.
Look at the LDS Database for records of the Russell family.
Research the Russell surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Russell Military records.
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 52348 people with the Russell surname in the UK? Russell is now ranked number 77 for popularity in the UK. |
Russell Family Tree Databases
Look at WikiTree for user contributed Russell family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Russell data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Check out MyTrees for information on the Russell family and people looking to contact living Russell relations.
Search GENi for Russell family records.
Find your Irish Russell relatives on findmypast.ie
Russell Forums
Research the Russell surname using Genealogy.com forums .
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 258251 people with the Russell surname in the USA? Russell is ranked number 74 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Russell Databases
Explore the Ellis Island Database for information on the Russell family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Russell surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
Some people with the surname Russell
Addison Alexander Alexei Alex Alfred Alice Allen Andre Andrew Andy Anna Archibald Archimedes Arthur Audrey Ben Benjamin Bertrand Betty Bill Bob Brian Bruce Bryan Bryon Cameron Campy Carl Carrie Catherine Chambers Charles Charlie Chris Chuck Church Clare Clarissa Claude Colin Craig Curley Dale Daniel Darel Darrell David Davie Denis Dwayne Edgar Edward Elizabeth Eric Erk Ernestine Francis Frank Fraser Frederick Fred Gary George Gloria Gussie Hal Hamer Henry Herb Honey Hughie Ian Irwin Ivan Jack Jamarcus James Jane Janieve Jason Jay Jeff Jennifer Jeremiah Jeremy Jesse Jim Joey John Johnny Jordan Joseph Josiah Julie-ann Keith Kelly Ken Keri Kevin Kimberly Kris Kurt Kyle Kym Lady Lake Lance Larry Leon Liane Lloyd Lord Lorna Marianna Mark Marta Martin Mary Matt Matty Maud Michael Mick Mike Nellie Newton Nipsey Packie Paschal Patricia Patrick Paul Pee Peter Phil Philip Ralph Ray Raymond Richard Rip Robert Rosalind Ross Rusty Ruth Samuel Scott Seymour Sheridan Shirley Sid Stephen Steve Stewart Ted Tekarei Theresa Thomas Timothy Tom Tony Walker Wally William Zulfiqer
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