# Purcell (surname)

Purcell is a surname of Norman origin, and common in Ireland and England. It was given to those whose occupation was swineherd.

## Notables with this name

* A. A. Purcell (1872–1935), president of the British Trades Union Congress and Labour Member of Parliament
* Alban W. Purcell (c. 1843–1913), American stage actor, dramatist and manager
* Albert Purcell (1913–2001), English former footballer
* Andrew Purcell, former professional rugby league footballer
* Benjamin Purcell (1928-2013), American army officer and state legislator
* Bennie Purcell (1929–2016), former professional basketball player and collegiate tennis coach
* Bernie Purcell, Australian rugby league footballer
* Bill Purcell (disambiguation)
* Blondie Purcell (1854–1912), American Major League Baseball player
* Brian Purcell (1938–1969), Welsh professional footballer
* Charmian Purcell (born 1979), New Zealand basketball player
* Clare Purcell (1884–1964), American bishop
* Daniel Purcell (1664–1717), English composer, younger brother to Henry
* Darryn Purcell (born 1985), Australian lightweight rower
* Debi Purcell, American mixed martial artist
* Deirdre Purcell (1945–2023), Irish author
* Dick Purcell (1905-1944), American actor
* Dominic Purcell (born 1970), Irish-Australian actor
* Edward Purcell (musician) (1689–1740), English composer
* Edward A. Purcell, Jr., American historian
* Edward Henry Purcell (died 1765), English organist, printer, and music publisher
* Edward Mills Purcell (1912–1997), U.S. physicist, Nobel Prize winner
* Father Austin Purcell, fictional character in the television comedy Father Ted
* Francis T. Purcell (1918–2014), former Republican politician
* François Purcell, elected official from Montréal
* Ganson Purcell, former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
* George Purcell, former English professional association football player
* Gordon Purcell (born 1959), American comic book artist
* Graham B. Purcell, Jr. (1919–2011), U.S. Representative from Texas
* Henry Purcell (1659–1695), English composer
* Henry Purcell (judge), New York Supreme Court
* Hugh Purcell of Loughmoe (12th Century), Irish Lord and politician
* Howard Purcell (1918–1981), American comic-book artist and writer
* Irene Purcell (1901–1972), American movie actress
* Jack Purcell (1903–1991), Canadian world champion badminton player
* James Purcell of Loughmoe (1609-1652), Irish Nobleman
* James Purcell (mountain man), 19th-century American mountain man and explorer
* James Purcell (politician) (1953-), Australian Politician
* Jane Purcell Coffee (1944–2023), American mathematician
* Jessica Purcell, American and Australian mathematician
* Jim Purcell, former Chief of Police in Portland, Oregon
* Joe Purcell (1923–1987), former Governor of Arkansas
* John Purcell (disambiguation), several people
* José L. Purcell, Puerto Rican Judge, founder-president Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation
* Josh Kilmer-Purcell (born 1969), American writer
* Kay Purcell (1963–2020), English actress
* Kieran Purcell (born 1945), former Irish sportsman
* Leah Purcell (born 1970), Australian actress
* Lee Purcell (born 1947), American actress
* Max Purcell (born 1998), Australian tennis player
* Mel Purcell (born 1959), former professional tennis player and current collegiate tennis coach
* Mike Purcell (born 1991), American football player
* Nicholas Purcell of Loughmoe (1651–1722), Irish nobleman
* Nicholas Purcell (MP) (died 1559)
* Nicholas Purcell (Classicist) (?), professor of Ancient history
* Noel Purcell (disambiguation)
* Pat Purcell (born 1947), Australian politician
* Patrick Purcell (1833–1891), Canadian railway contractor and political figure
* Phil Purcell (hurler) (1900–1963), Irish sportsman
* Philip J. Purcell (born 1943), Morgan Stanley CEO 1997–2005
* Richard Purcell of Loughmoe (16th - 17th Century) Baron and Jury
* Robert Purcell (1912–1991), American businessman and philanthropist
* Ron Purcell, American guitarist
* Sally Purcell (1944–1998), British poet and translator
* Sarah Purcell (born 1948), American television shows host
* Sarahbeth Purcell (born 1977), American author of fiction
* Scott Purcell, founder of Epoch Networks
* Seán Purcell (1929–2005), Gaelic footballer
* Steve Purcell, comic book artist
* Steven Purcell (born 1972), Scottish politician
* Thomas Purcell of Loughmoe (1538-1607), Irish nobleman
* Tadhg Purcell (born 1985), Irish footballer
* Teddy Purcell (born 1985), Canadian professional ice hockey right winger
* Thomas Purcell of Loughmoe (1538–1609), Irish nobleman
* Toby Purcell, Anglo-Irish soldier of the 17th century
* Tommy Purcell (1921–1949), Irish sportsman
* Victor Purcell (1896–1965), British colonial public servant, historian, poet and sinologist
* William Purcell (disambiguation)