Show ContentsWitchell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Witchell family

The surname Witchell was first found in Bavaria, where the name Witchell was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Witchell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Witchell research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1509, 1638, 1680, 1695, 1710 and 1712 are included under the topic Early Witchell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witchell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gichtl, Giech, Gach, Kitchel, Gittelde, Gische, Gitchel, Glich, Kitscher, Gochelet, Goegel, Goschl, Gotsche and many more.

Early Notables of the Witchell family

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


United States Witchell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Witchell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Witchell, aged 21, who arrived in Ohio in 1812 1
  • Samuel Witchell, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1878 1

Australia Witchell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Witchell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Witchell, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 2nd February 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
  • Mr. Charles Thomas Witchell, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 9th Mary 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 3

New Zealand Witchell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Witchell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Witchell, (b. 1844), aged 17, English gardener, from Gloucestershire travelling from London aboard the ship "Royal Stuart" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th October 1861 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Witchell (post 1700) +

  • Jonathan Witchell (1974-2007), British BBC reporter who worked for Radio Kent from 1998 until his death
  • Henry Witchell (1906-1965), English cricketer born at Dursley, Gloucestershire
  • Edwin Witchell (1823-1887), English geologist, his father Edward Witchell of Nympsfield, Gloucestershire was a yeoman of good standing 5
  • Nicholas Newton Henshall Witchell (b. 1953), British journalist and news presenter, former royal correspondent for BBC News
  • Norman Witchell Biggs (1870-1908), Welsh international rugby union winger


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 5 Feb. 2019


Houseofnames.com on Facebook