Bell (surname) of "Isobel". In some cases, the surname originates from a nickname, or descriptive name, derived from the Old French "bel" ("beautiful", "fair"). In other cases, the surname "Bell" represents an English form of the Gaelic surname "Mac Giolla Mhaoil" ("son of the servant of the devotee"). In some cases, the surname is derived from placenames in Norway (Bell) and Germany (Bell in Rhineland; and possibly Belle, in Westphalia). The surname Bell is also sometimes an Anglicized form of the German "Böhl" or "Böll". Early attested forms of the surname when of a patronymic origin include: Ailuuardus ""filius Belli"", in 1086;
Poland (surname) the examples where the 'Mac' or 'Mc' has been dropped can be explained for several reasons. In English controlled areas of Ireland (especially around The Pale), it was declared that the Irish take on names in an English form and many were required to do so in order to do business with the powers that be, or to obtain a tenancy on English controlled land. Census takers were also allowed to use either form, with or without the Gaelic prefix. It also was not uncommon for the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix to simply be incorporated into the surname to result