Recorded as Arundel, Harundell, Hurndall, and probably others this ancient and distinguished surname is English and Irish. It has two possible origins. The first is Norman-French, and as such was introduced in the wake of the famous Conquest of England in 1066 and of Ireland in 1170. It is a nickname for someone thought to resemble a swallow, from the Old French word "harondel". It is in fact a diminutive meaning 'Little swallow'. The surname from this source has the distinction of being first recorded in the Domesday Book (see below), and further early examples include: Robert Arundel of Dorset, in the year 1130, and Osbert Harundel of Yorkshire, in 1154. The Domesday tenant-in-chief has left his name in Sampford Arundel in Somerset, an estate which the family held for many years. The surname may also be locational rom the Sussex parish of Arundel recorded as "Harundel" in the Domesday Book. This is name from the Olde English pre 7th century "harhun-dell", meaning the valley of the hoar flower. Early locational surnames include: John de Arundell of Cornwall, in 1292, and Robert de Arundell of Sussex, in 1332. The name has also been continuously associated with Ireland and the province of the Munster since the end of the 13th Century when Robert de Arundel was coroner of Ibawn. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rogerius Harundel. This was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Dorset and Somerset, during the reign of King William 1st , known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087.

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