Gawell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The proud Norman name of Gawell was developed in England soon after Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was name for a person with a fancied resemblance to the wild boar. The name derives fom the Old Norse word goltr, which means boar. The boar, a hairy tusked animal similar to a pig, was once quite populous in England, but now remains only on continental Europe. Hunting boar was a favorite sport during the Middle Ages, and the sport contributed to its extinction in the British Isles.

Early Origins of the Gawell family

The surname Gawell was first found in Perthshire where they held a family seat from very early times. Gall was the name given to strangers, as in the Lowland Galt, but the name probably came from France. Conjecturally they moved north to Scotland with King David of Scotland.

Early History of the Gawell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gawell research. Another 229 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1334, 1367, 1397, 1399, 1450, 1469, 1499, 1513, 1525, 1533, 1547, 1613, 1640, 1737, 1779, 1839 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gawell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gawell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Gawell have been found, including Gall, Gauld, Gault, Galt, Gaw, Gawe, Gauwe and others.

Early Notables of the Gawell family

More information is included under the topic Early Gawell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gawell family to Ireland

Some of the Gawell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gawell family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gawell were among those contributors: Christopher Gall who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1753; George Michael Gall with his three sons who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1764.

The Gawell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Patentia Vincit
Motto Translation: Patience conquers.