Powell

Powell is a surname of Welsh origin, derived from the given name Howell or Hywel, and commonly meaning “son of Howell.” The spelling Powell is widespread in Wales, England, and across the English-speaking world, and it has become a toponym in various regions, often named after people bearing the name.

Notable individuals with the surname include John Wesley Powell (1834–1902), an American explorer who led expeditions down the Green and Colorado rivers and contributed to mapping the Grand Canyon; and Colin Powell (1937–2021), a U.S. general and statesman who served as Secretary of State and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The name appears across many fields, including politics, science, and the arts.

Places bearing the name Powell include Powell, Wyoming, a town in Park County; Powell, Ohio, a city near Columbus; and Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. These locations were typically named in honor of individuals with the Powell surname or local historical figures.

Powell's Books, commonly known as Powell's, is a major independent bookstore chain based in Portland, Oregon, renowned as a landmark of American book retailing and publishing culture.

Powell's method refers to a family of optimization algorithms developed by Michael J. Powell, used in mathematical optimization to minimize functions without requiring gradient information.

Powell remains a widely used surname and toponym, reflecting its historical roots and the influence of people who bore the name in exploration, governance, and culture.