| ![Show Contents]() Tuell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Tuell can be traced to the ancient Celtic culture of Wales. The surname Tuell is derived from the Welsh word "tew," which means "portly" or "plump," and was most likely originally a nickname for a heavy-set person. Early Origins of the Tuell familyThe surname Tuell was first found in Cardiganshire (Welsh: Sir Aberteifi), the former Kingdom of Ceredigion, created as a county in 1282 by Edward I, and located on the West coast of Wales, where they held a family seat anciently. Traditionally they claim descent from Rhodri Mawr, the first great King of Wales through Lord Rhys, Prince of South Wales. Gwenllian, daughter of John Tew married Dafydd Llywellyn Lloyd of Castle Howel, first knight of the shire for Cardiganshire. Early History of the Tuell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tuell research. Another 34 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1650, 1654, 1695, 1714, 1715 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Tuell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Tuell Spelling VariationsThere are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Tuell have included Tew, Tews, Tewell, Tewel, Tuel, Tuell and others. Early Notables of the Tuell familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Tew of Cardigan; Henry Tew (1654-1718), early American 16th Deputy Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1714-1715); and Thomas Tew (c. 1650-1695), American pirate who gained notoriety in the Red Sea...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tuell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Tuell family to Ireland
Some of the Tuell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Tuell migration to the United States | + |
North America in the 1800s and 1900s saw the arrival of many Welsh people hoping to share in the wealth of land, work, and freedom that they felt North America held. Those who made the journey often attained those expectations, but only through an enormous amount of hard work, perseverance, and often a bout of good luck. These immigrants helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and culture of both Canada and the United States. Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Tuell:
Tuell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- F. D. Tuell, aged 34, originally from London, who arrived in New York, New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Liverpool, England 1
Tuell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Martha Tuell, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Hellig Olav" from Christiansand 1
- B.P. Tuell, who arrived in America in 1920 aboard the ship "West Cavanal" from Leghorn, Italy 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Tuell (post 1700) | + |
- William Tuell, American politician, Member of the Maine House of Representatives (2014-2015)
- Gary Tuell, American coach of the NSU Sharks Men's Basketball team since 2004
- Fanny Tuell (b. 1923), birth name of Faye Adams, also known as Faye Scruggs, an American rhythm and blues singer, active in the 1950s
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Tuell migration to the United States 
Germany
Wales
Ireland
