Show ContentsAxtell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Axtell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the given name Asketillus, which is composed of the elements óss or áss which means god and ketill, which means kettle or sacrificial cauldron in the Old Norse. This name predates the Norman Conquest in 1066, and would have been given to one who oversaw the sacrificial rites of pre-Christian England. The surname, then, signifies "the son or descendant of Asketill". [1]

Early Origins of the Axtell family

The surname Axtell was first found in Norfolk, where the family held a family seat.

Early History of the Axtell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Axtell research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1101, 1125, 1200, 1205, 1273, 1361, 1391, 1622, 1649, 1660, 1683, 1686, 1690 and 1785 are included under the topic Early Axtell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Axtell Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Axtell include Axtell, Axstell, Axtel, Axstel, Axtill, Axstill, Axtil, Axstil, Axell, Axill, Akstell, Akstill, Ashkettle, Askettle, Asketell, Asketel, Asketill, Asketil and many more.

Early Notables of the Axtell family

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

Axtell Ranking

In the United States, the name Axtell is the 11,415th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [2]


United States Axtell migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Axtell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nathaniel Axtell, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639
  • Henry Axtell, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1660
  • Robert Axtell, who settled in Maryland in 1677
  • Daniel Axtell, who settled in South Carolina in 1680

Australia Axtell migration to Australia +

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

Axtell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Axtell, English convict who was convicted in Maidstone, Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 27th May 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [3]
  • Mr. George Axtell, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Duncan" on 10th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [4]

Contemporary Notables of the name Axtell (post 1700) +

  • Samuel Beach Axtell (1819-1891), American Democratic Party politician, Governor of Utah Territory, 1875; Governor of New Mexico Territory, 1875-78; Justice of New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court, 1882-85
  • Frances Sevilla Cleveland Axtell (1866-1912), American politician, one of the first female legislators in the Washington House of Representatives (1912)
  • Charles Sumner Axtell (1859-1932), American gold medalist sport shooter at the 1908 Summer Olympics
  • James L. Axtell (b. 1941), American historian and professor of history at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Eugene D. Axtell, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
  • Salmon Axtell, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Washington County, 1839 [5]
  • M. W. Axtell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1876 [5]
  • Kenneth M. Axtell, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1972; Presidential Elector for New York, 1972 [5]
  • Joseph Axtell, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Delaware County, 1920 [5]
  • Frances C. Axtell, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 2nd District, 1916, 1926 [5]
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duncan
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook