Save Type Surname (from given name) Usage Dutch, German, Danish, English Pronounced Pron. /kɔr.ˈneː.li.jʏs/(Dutch) /kɔʁ.ˈneː.li.ʊs/(German) /kɔɹ.ˈnil.i.əs/(American English) /kɔː.ˈniː.ljəs/(British English) [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsCornell (English); Kornelius (German, Dutch) Meaning & History Derived from the given name Cornelius. Cognate of Corneille, English variant of Cornell.