Greenwall History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Greenwall come from when the family resided as dwellers beside the green grassy hill or body of water. The name comes from the Old English words "green," and "well." No doubt, the first to use this surname were a family who lived on lush green ground near a well, spring or stream. As such, the surname is classed as a topographic surname, one based on physical features near the residence, such as hills, streams, churches, etc. Early Origins of the Greenwall familyThe surname Greenwall was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from very ancient times, as Lords of the manor of Greenwell in the parish of Walsingham, and are descended from Gulielmus the Presbyter who held those lands in 1183. His son James assumed the name of the lands, Greenwell. 1 "Greenwell is a very ancient Durham surname. The Greenwells of Stobilee, who carry their pedigree back to the beginning of the 16th century, seem to have been one of the principal stocks in modern times; the property of Broomshields has been for four centuries in the possession of a branch of this family." 2 Early History of the Greenwall familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greenwall research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Greenwall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Greenwall Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Greenwall has been recorded under many different variations, including Grenwell, Greenwell, Greenwall, Grenwall and others. Early Notables of the Greenwall familyMore information is included under the topic Early Greenwall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Greenwall or a variant listed above: Greenwall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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