Burnell is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alf Burnell (born 1924), English rugby league footballer of the 1950s
Arthur Coke Burnell (1840–1882), British translator
Barker Burnell (1798–1843), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts
Cassandra Burnell Southwick (circa 1600–1660), English American Quaker
Charles Burnell (1876–1969), British rower
Jocelyn Bell Burnell (born 1943), Northern Irish astrophysicist
Joe Burnell (born 1980), English professional footballer
Paul Burnell (21st century), Scottish rugby union footballer
Robert Burnell (died 1292), English bishop
