Powell is an English surname of Welsh origin. It is a patronymic form of the Welsh name ''

Hywel Hywel (), sometimes anglicised as Howel or Howell, is a Welsh masculine given name. It may refer to: * Saint Hywel, a sixth-century disciple of Saint Teilo and the king of Brittany in the Arthurian legend. * Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog, 9th-century ki ...

'' (later

Anglicized Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

as ''Howell''), with the prefix ''ap'' meaning "son of", together forming ''ap Hywel'', or "son of Hywel". It is an uncommon name among those of Welsh ancestry. It originates in a dynasty of kings in Wales, and Brittany in the 9th and 10th century, and three Welsh royal houses of that time onwards. The

House of Tudor The House of Tudor was a royal house of largely Welsh and English origin that held the English throne from 1485 to 1603. They descended from the Tudors of Penmynydd and Catherine of France. Tudor monarchs ruled the Kingdom of England and i ...

, one of the Royal houses of England, also descended from them.

Deceased

* Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. (1865–1953), minister of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York * Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908–1972), minister and politician, first African American to become a powerful figure in the United States Congress * Alfred Hoare Powell (1865–1960) English Arts and Crafts architect, pottery decorator and artist *

Anthony Powell Anthony Dymoke Powell ( ; 21 December 1905 – 28 March 2000) was an English novelist best known for his 12-volume work '' A Dance to the Music of Time'', published between 1951 and 1975. It is on the list of longest novels in English. Powell ...

(1905–2000), English novelist *

Art Powell (wide receiver) Arthur Louis Powell (February 25, 1937 – April 6, 2015) was an American football wide receiver. Early career Powell attended and played high school football at San Diego High School and played college football at San Jose State University. His ...

(1937–2015), American football player, brother of Charlie Powell *

Arthur William Baden Powell Arthur William Baden Powell (4 April 1901 – 1 July 1987) was a New Zealand malacologist, naturalist and palaeontologist, a major influence in the study and classification of New Zealand molluscs through much of the 20th century. He was kno ...

(1901–1987), New Zealand malacologist and paleontologist *

Baden Powell (mathematician) Baden Powell, MA FRS FRGS (22 August 1796 – 11 June 1860) was an English mathematician and Church of England priest. He held the Savilian Chair of Geometry at the University of Oxford from 1827 to 1860. Powell was a prominent liberal th ...

(1796–1860), English mathematician; father of Robert Baden-Powell * Bill Powell (1916–2009), American golf course designer *

Billy Powell William Norris Powell (June 3, 1952 – January 28, 2009) was an American musician and keyboardist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2009. Biography Early life Powell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. He grew u ...

(1952–2009), keyboardist of the American band Lynyrd Skynyrd * Brian Powell (baseball player) (1973–2009), American baseball player *

Bud Powell Earl Rudolph "Bud" Powell (September 27, 1924 – July 31, 1966) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Along with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke and Dizzy Gillespie, Powell was a leading figure in the development of modern j ...

(1924–1966), American jazz pianist and composer * Caroline Amelia Powell (1852–1935), Irish-born American engraver and illustrator *

Cecil Frank Powell Cecil Frank Powell, FRS (5 December 1903 – 9 August 1969) was a British physicist, and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate for heading the team that developed the photographic method of studying nuclear processes and for the resulting discovery of ...

(1903–1969), British physicist and Nobel laureate in physics * Charles Powell (disambiguation), several people * Charlie Powell (1932–2014), American football player, brother of Art Powell * Colin Powell (1937–2021), United States Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff * Cozy Powell (1947–1998), English drummer for the bands Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and Whitesnake *

Cynthia Lennon Cynthia Lennon (born Powell; 10 September 1939 – 1 April 2015) was the first wife of John Lennon and the mother of Julian Lennon. Born in Blackpool and raised in Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula, she attended the Liverpool College of Art where ...

''née'' Powell (1939–2015), British first wife of John Lennon *

Dawn Powell Dawn Powell (November 28, 1896 – November 14, 1965) was an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and short story writer. Known for her acid-tongued prose, "her relative obscurity was likely due to a general distaste for her harsh sati ...

(1896–1965), American writer of satirical novels and stories *

Dick Powell Richard Ewing Powell (November 14, 1904 – January 2, 1963) was an American actor, musician, producer, director, and studio head. Though he came to stardom as a musical comedy performer, he showed versatility, and successfully transformed into ...

(1904–1963), American singer, actor, producer, and director *

Dilys Powell Elizabeth Dilys Powell, CBE (20 July 1901 – 3 June 1995) was a British film critic and travel writer who contributed to ''The Sunday Times'' for more than 50 years. Powell was known for her receptiveness to cultural change in the cinema and ...

(1901–1995), British journalist, author, and film critic * E. Alexander Powell (1879–1957), American war correspondent and author * Eileen Louisa Powell (1913–1997), Australian trade unionist and women's activist *

Eleanor Powell Eleanor Torrey Powell (November 21, 1912 – February 11, 1982) was an American dancer and actress. Best remembered for her tap dance numbers in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s, she was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's top dancing stars duri ...

(1912–1982), American actress and dancer * Elkan Harrison Powell (1888–1966), American publisher *

Enoch Powell John Enoch Powell, (16 June 1912 – 8 February 1998) was a British politician, classical scholar, author, linguist, soldier, philologist, and poet. He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament (1950–1974) and was Minister of Health (19 ...

(1912–1998), British politician * Ernest Powell (1861–1928), English cricketer * Felix Powell (1878–1942), Welsh songwriter * Francis Powell (priest) (1909–1998), dean of Belize * Sir Francis Powell, 1st Baronet (1827–1911), English politician *

Frank Powell Frank Powell (born Francis William Powell, May 8, 1877) was a Canadian-born stage and silent film actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who worked predominantly in the United States."Ontario Births, 1869-1912", digital copy of original h ...

(1877–?), Canadian stage and silent film actor, screenwriter, and director * Frank Powell (footballer), English football manager * Frank John Powell (1891–1971), British Liberal Party politician and magistrate * Foster Powell (1734–1793) English long-distance walker *

Frederick Powell Frederick James Powell, (13 August 1895 – May 1992) was a British flying ace of the First World War, credited with six confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories. He remained in the Royal Air Force post-war, serving until 1927, then ret ...

(1895–1992), British Royal Air Force pilot * George Henry Powell (1880–1951), Welsh songwriter *

Gwyneth Powell Gwyneth Powell (5 July 1946 – 8 September 2022) was an English actress. She was best known for her portrayal of headmistress Bridget McClusky in the BBC television series ''Grange Hill'' for eleven series between 1981 and 1991. Background P ...

(1946–2022), English actress * Harold Powell (disambiguation), several people * Israel Wood Powell (1801–1852), Canadian politician in Ontario * Israel Wood Powell (1836–1915), Canadian politician in British Columbia *

Ivor Powell Ivor Verdun Powell, MBE (5 July 1916 – 6 November 2012) was a Welsh football player and manager. He won eight caps for Wales. A wing half, he began his professional career with Queens Park Rangers in September 1937. His career was interr ...

(1916–2012), Welsh footballer * Jack Powell (disambiguation), multiple people * Jackie Powell (1871–1955), South African rugby player *

James Powell and Sons The firm of James Powell and Sons, also known as Whitefriars Glass, were London-based English glassmakers, leadlighters and stained glass window manufacturers. As ''Whitefriars Glass'', the company existed from the 17th century, but became well ...

, English glassworkers *

Jane Powell Jane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was an American actress, singer, and dancer who first appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s and 50s. With her soprano voice and girl-next-door ima ...

(1929–2021), American actress, singer, and dancer * Jay Powell (politician) (1952–2019), American lawyer and politician * Jesse Powell (1971–2022), American R&B singer *

Jody Powell Joseph Lester "Jody" Powell, Jr. (September 30, 1943 – September 14, 2009) was an American political advisor who served as a White House press secretary during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Powell later co-founded a public relations firm. E ...

(1943–2009), White House press secretary for Jimmy Carter * John Powell (disambiguation), several people *

John Wesley Powell John Wesley Powell (March 24, 1834 – September 23, 1902) was an American geologist, U.S. Army soldier, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions. He ...

(1834–1902), American soldier, geologist, and explorer of the American West *

Julie Powell Julia Anne Powell (; April 20, 1973 – October 26, 2022) was an American author known for her 2005 book ''Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen'' which was based on her blog, the Julie/Julia Project. A film adaptation b ...

(1973–2022), American food writer and memoirist * Lange Powell (1886–1938), Australian architect and Freemason, designer of the Masonic Temple in Brisbane * Leven Powell (1737–1810), American politician, soldier and planter * Levin M. Powell (1798–1885), American naval officer * Lewis Thornton Powell (1844–1865), Confederate soldier, hanged as a conspirator in the Lincoln assassination * Lewis Franklin Powell, Jr. (1907–1998), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States * Lewis W. Powell (1882–1942), American politician and lawyer * Mel Powell (1923–1998), American jazz pianist and composer *

Michael Powell Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was an English filmmaker, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. Through their production company The Archers, they together wrote, produced and directed a serie ...

(1905–1990), British film director *

Michael J. D. Powell Michael James David Powell (29 July 193619 April 2015) was a British mathematician, who worked in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) at the University of Cambridge. Education and early life Born in London, Po ...

(1936–2015), British mathematician *

Paul Powell (director) Paul Mahlon Powell (September 6, 1881 – July 2, 1944) was an American journalist, director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Powell was most active during the silent film era and is best known for directing Mary Pickford in ''Pollyann ...

(1881–1944), American journalist, director, producer, screenwriter and actor *

Philip Powell (architect) Sir Arnold Joseph Philip Powell (15 March 1921 – 5 May 2003), usually known as Philip Powell, was an English post-war architect. He was educated at Epsom College and then the Architectural Association. He was the father of "Humane modern ...

(1921–2003), British architect * Paul Warner Powell (1978–2010), American murderer convicted for the murder of Stacie Reed *

Ray Edwin Powell Ray Edwin Powell (December 7, 1887 – November 9, 1973) was the president of what became known as Alcan (the Aluminum Company of Canada), one of the largest aluminum companies in the world, overseeing an extraordinary expansion in the company's ...

(1887–1973), Canadian businessman (founder of Alcan Aluminium) and educator (Chancellor of McGill University) *

Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom), Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, foun ...

(1857–1941), British Army lieutenant-general; founder of the world Scouting Movement * Robert E. Powell (1923–1997), mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, 1979 to 1996 * Roger Powell (1896–1990), English bookbinder * Ron Powell (1929–1992), Welsh goalkeeper who played for Chesterfield * Sam Powell (footballer) (1899–1961), English footballer *

Sandy Powell (comedian) Albert Arthur Powell MBE (30 January 1900 – 26 June 1982), known as Sandy Powell, was an English comedian best known for his radio work of the 1930s and for his catchphrase "Can you hear me, mother?". He first said this in a theatre in Cov ...

(1900–1982), English comedian best known for his radio work of the 1930s * Seth Powell (1862–1945), Wales international footballer * T. G. E. Powell (1916–1975), British archaeologist * Thomas Powell (botanist) (1809–1897), British missionary to Samoa and botanist *

Vince Powell Vincent Joseph Powell (6 August 1928 – 13 July 2009) was a British television scriptwriter. He collaborated with a writing partner, Harry Driver, until 1973. Early life Powell was born as Vincent Joseph Smith to Roman Catholic parents in ...

(1928–2009), British sitcom writer * Wick Powell (1905–1973), Welsh international rugby union footballer * Wickham Powell (1892–1961), Welsh international rugby union and rugby league footballer *

William Powell William Horatio Powell (July 29, 1892 – March 5, 1984) was an American actor. A major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he was paired with Myrna Loy in 14 films, including the '' Thin Man'' series based on the Nick and Nora Charles characters cre ...

(1892–1984), American actor * William G. Powell (1871–1955), Marine Corps Brevet Medal recipient

Living

Adam Powell (game designer) Adam James Powell (born 20 December 1976) is a Welsh computer programmer, game designer and businessman. He is the co-founder of Neopets and Meteor Games. Career Powell attended the University of Nottingham from 1995 to 1998 studying for a com ...

(born 1976), British co-founder of Neopets * Adam Clayton Powell IV (born 1962), American politician * Andrew Powell (born 1949), English music composer and performer * Andy Powell (born 1950), English guitarist for rock band Wishbone Ash * Andy Powell (born 1981), Welsh rugby union internationalist * Annie Powell (born 1976), Designer, Home renovator, Mother of Theo Powell *

Asafa Powell Asafa Powell, CD (born 23 November 1982) is a retired Jamaican sprinter who specialised in the 100 metres. He set the 100 metres world record twice, between June 2005 and May 2008 with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds. Powell has consisten ...

(born 1982), Jamaican athlete * Boog Powell (born 1941), popular nickname of John Wesley Powell, American baseball player (1961–77 in Major League Baseball) * Boog Powell (outfielder) (born 1993), nickname of Herschel Mack Powell IV, American baseball player (not related to the above) * Brian Powell (sociologist) (born 1954), American sociologist * Caroline Powell (disambiguation), several people * Catherine Powell (born 1967), British businesswoman * Ceri Powell (born 1963), Welsh geologist and Royal Dutch Shell executive * Charles Powell (born 1941), British diplomat and businessman, advisor to Margaret Thatcher and John Major * Charles Powell (historian) (born 1960), British historian of Spain *

Cornell Powell Cornell Powell (born October 30, 1997) is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson. Early years Powell attended JH Rose High School in Greenvil ...

(born 1997), American football player * Dante Powell (comedian), American stand-up comedian * Daren Powell (born 1978), West Indian cricketer * Dennis Powell (born 1963), American baseball pitcher *

Dina Powell Dina Powell, also known as Dina Powell McCormick (née Habib , ar, دينا حبيب; June 12, 1973) is an American financial executive, philanthropist, and political advisor, best known for having been the United States Deputy National Securit ...

(born 1974), American politician * Don Powell (born 1946), drummer for English rock band Slade * Duke Powell, American paramedic and politician * Emma Powell, South African politician *

Eric Powell (comics) Eric Powell (March 3, 1975) is an American comic book writer/artist, best known as the creator of '' The Goon''. Career Powell has written and provided artwork for Dark Horse, DC Comics and Marvel Comics, but is most regarded for his original se ...

(born 1975), American comic book artist and writer * Frank Neff Powell (born 1947), Episcopal Bishop of Southwestern Virginia * Gary Powell (disambiguation), several people * Glen Powell, American actor * Hope Powell (born 1966), English female footballer and manager * James Powell (author) (born 1932), Canadian mystery writer * Jay Powell (born 1972), American baseball pitcher * Jenny Powell (born 1968), English television presenter * Jim Powell (British novelist) (born 1949), British novelist * Jim Powell (poet), American poet and translator *

Jim Powell (sportscaster) Jim Powell is an American radio and television sportscaster, currently employed with Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves after 13 seasons (1996–2008) with the Milwaukee Brewers. A native of Roswell, Georgia, Powell was educated at the Unive ...

, American sportscaster *

Jerome Powell Jerome Hayden "Jay" Powell (born February 4, 1953) is an American attorney and investment banker who has served as the 16th chair of the Federal Reserve since 2018. After earning a degree in politics from Princeton University in 1975 and a Jur ...

(born 1953), American attorney and investment banker, current Federal Reserve Chair * Joe Powell (American football) (born 1994), American football player * John Powell (disambiguation), several people *

Keith Powell Keith Powell (born August 12, 1979) is an American television actor, writer, director, and web series creator, known for his role as James "Toofer" Spurlock on ''30 Rock'', and for creating and starring in the web series '' Keith Broke His Leg'', ...

(born c. 1979/1980), American TV actor *

Kieran Powell Kieran Omar Akeem Powell (born 6 March 1990) is a Nevisian sportsman who has played international cricket for the West Indies. He is a left-handed opening batsman. Having represented the West Indies under-19s at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, ...

(born 1990), Nevisian cricketer * Lamar Powell (born 1993), English footballer *

Laurene Powell Jobs Laurene Powell Jobs ( Powell; born November 6, 1963)United States birth records is an American billionaire businesswoman and executive. She is the founder and chair of Emerson Collective and XQ Institute. Powell Jobs resides in Palo Alto, Calif ...

''née'' Powell (born 1963), American businesswoman * Lin Powell (born 1939), Australian politician * Magnus Powell (born 1974), Swedish footballer * Marshawn Powell (born 1990), American basketball player * Mark Allan Powell, American biblical scholar * Matt Powell (born 1978), Welsh rugby union footballer * Mike Powell (athlete), American world record holder in the long jump * Myles Powell (born 1997), American basketball player * Nick Powell (born 1994), English footballer * Nigel Powell (born 1971), English musician * Norman Powell (born 1993), American basketball player * Owen Powell (born 1988), American musician, Police Officer * Peter Powell (DJ) (born 1951), British disc jockey on BBC Radio 1 in the 1970s and 1980s *

Renee Powell Renee Powell (born May 4, 1946) is an American professional golfer who played on the US-based LPGA Tour and is currently head professional at her family's Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. She was the second African-American woman ever t ...

(born 1946), American professional golfer * Ricardo Powell (born 1978), Jamaican cricketer * Robert Powell (composer) (born 1932), American composer *

Robert Powell Robert Powell (; born 1 June 1944) is an English actor who is known for the title roles in '' Mahler'' (1974) and ''Jesus of Nazareth'' (1977), and for his portrayal of secret agent Richard Hannay in '' The Thirty Nine Steps'' (1978) and its ...

(born 1944), British actor * Roger Powell (disambiguation), several people *

Ronald Powell Ronald Fredrick Powell (born May 14, 1991) is a former American football linebacker . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at University of Florida. High school career A ...

(born 1991), American football player *

Rovman Powell Rovman Powell (born 23 July 1993) is a Jamaican cricketer who plays for the West Indies cricket team and current vice-captain in Limited overs cricket. In December 2018, he captained the West Indies for the first time in a One Day International ...

(born 1993), Jamaica and West Indies cricket player *

Sandy Powell (costume designer) Sandy Powell (born 7 April 1960) is a British costume designer. She has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design fifteen times, winning three awards for the films '' Shakespeare in Love'' (1998), '' The Aviator'' (2004), an ...

(born 1960), British costume designer who has been nominated nine times for the Academy *

Sara Jordan Powell Sara Jordan Powell (born October 6, 1938) is an American gospel musician. Her first works, "Touch Somebody's Life" and "When Jesus Comes," were released in 1972, and got significant radio airtime. She released an album that was produced by James ...

(born 1938), American gospel musician * Shawn Powell (American football) (born 1988), American football player * Sidney Katherine Powell (born 1955), American attorney and federal prosecutor * Sylvester Earl Powell (born 1972), American songwriter and music producer *

Tristram Powell Tristram Roger Dymoke Powell'Powell of The Chantry' pedigree, Burke's Peerage website (born 25 April 1940) is an English television and film director, producer and screenwriter. His credits include ''American Friends'', episodes of series five a ...

(born 1940), English television director, film director, writer and producer * Walter W. Powell (born 1951), American sociologist * Wendy Powell (born 1971), American voice actor * William Powell (Liberal Democrat politician) (born 1950), Welsh politician

Fictional characters

* Colleen Powell, in the Australian TV series ''

Prisoner A prisoner (also known as an inmate or detainee) is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement, captivity, or forcible restraint. The term applies particularly to serving a prison sentence in a prison. ...

'' * Milo Powell, the title character in the Canadian-Filipino animated series ''

Captain Flamingo ''Captain Flamingo'' is an animated television series, which chronicles the adventures of ''Milo Powell'', whose alter-ego is ''Captain Flamingo''. The television series was produced by Atomic Cartoons, Breakthrough Films & Television, The Hero ...

'' * Herbert 'Herb' Powell, Homer Simpson's half brother on ''The Simpsons'' * Powell, various family members on '' No Ordinary Family'' television series * Sergeant Al Powell, in the 1988 film ''

Die Hard ''Die Hard'' is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan, with a screenplay by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. Based on the 1979 novel '' Nothing Lasts Forever'', by Roderick Thorp, it stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Al ...

Deceased

Living

Fictional characters

See also