Show ContentsGale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gale Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Gale

What does the name Gale mean?

The name Gale has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who was known for their cheerful personality and their jovial disposition. The surname Gale was originally derived form the Old English word gal, which described a person as being pleasant and merry. 1

Early Origins of the Gale family

The surname Gale was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johanna del Gaylle; Agnes del Gaylle; Johannes del Gayle; and Willelmus Gayle as all holding lands there at that time. 2

One source claims the name is a "Scottish Highlander," 3 and in Scotland, "strangers to the Gadhelic people were called Gall, and this gave rise to surnames such as Gauld, Gall, and the Lowland Galt. Gall in the common speech was pronounced 'Gaw.' A rather common surname in Perth and especially in the Muirton of Balhousie during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. John Gal was witness to a grant to the Blackfriars of Perth in 1334." 4

Early History of the Gale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gale research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1534, 1546, 1596, 1597, 1628, 1635, 1647, 1660, 1670, 1671, 1678, 1680, 1701, 1702, 1721 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Gale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gale Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Gale have been found, including Gale, Gail, Gaile, Gales and others.

Early Notables of the Gale family

  • George Gale, Mayor of York; Dunstan Gale (fl. 1596), an English poet, author of a poem entitled 'Pyramus and Thisbe,' supposed to have been printed for the first time in 1597. 5
  • Theophilus Gale (1628-1678), was an English educationalist, nonconformist and theologian of dissent from Kingsteignton, Devon; Thomas Gale (1635?-1702), an English classical scholar, antiquarian and c...
  • Christopher Gale (1670-1735), was the first Chief Justice of the Colony of North Carolina. He was born in York, England, the son of the Rev. Miles Gale. He emigrated to Carolina in his early twenties...

Gale World Ranking

the United States, the name Gale is the 2,228th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Gale is ranked the 179th most popular surname with an estimated 223 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Gale is the 509th popular surname with an estimated 7,483 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Gale as 550th with 11,816 people. 9

Gale migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Gale, or a variant listed above:

Gale Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Gale, who settled in Virginia in 1623 with his wife Mary
  • Edmond Gale, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 11
  • Daniell Gale, who arrived in Virginia in 1649 11
  • Hu Gale, who arrived in New England in 1652 11
  • Isaac Gale, who settled in Virginia in 1654
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gale Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edward Gale, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • Edward Gale, who arrived in New England in 1733 11
  • Francis Gale, who landed in America in 1782 11
Gale Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hen Gale, who landed in America in 1805 11
  • J, Gale Jr., who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1821 11
  • Jos Gale, aged 52, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 11
  • M Gale, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1829 11
  • G Gale, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gale migration to Australia +

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

First Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth Gale, (b. 1764), aged 24, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Following the First Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Gale Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Gale, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
  • Mr. George Gale, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 27 September 1834, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • William Gale, who arrived in Port Misery aboard the ship "Duchess of Northumberland" in 1839 14
  • Mr. Samuel Gale, English convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "David Clarke" on 3rd June 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. John Gale, English convict who was convicted in Kingston on Thames, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 27th August 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gale 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:

Gale Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. W.M. Gale, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Worsley" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th October 1858 17
  • Mrs. Gale, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 17
  • Mr. Edward Gale, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 17
  • Miss Eliza Gale, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 17
  • Miss Margaret Gale, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gale migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18
Gale Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Richard Gale, who settled in Barbados in 1635
  • Mr. Richard Gale, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 19
  • John Gale, who settled in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Gale (post 1700) +

  • Edward Gale (1963-2025), American actor and stunt performer, appeared in films and television series (1986-2013), physical performer of Chucky in Child's Play, Child's Play 2, and Bride of Chucky
  • Henry Gale (1874-1942), American astrophysicist and author
  • Grant O. Gale (1903-1998), American physics professor at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa
  • Gladys Gale (1891-1948), American nightclub singer, vaudeville performer, and character actress
  • Eric Gale (1938-1994), American jazz and session guitarist
  • Eddra Gale (1921-2001), American actress and opera singer
  • Eddie Gale (1941-2020), American trumpeter, known for his work in free jazz
  • David Gale (1921-2008), American mathematician and economist, professor at the University of California, Berkeley
  • Bob Gale (b. 1951), born Michael Robert Gale, American motion picture screenwriter, best known for co-writing the science fiction comedy film Back to the Future
  • ... (Another 49 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Thomas John Gale (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
  • Mr. Raymond Gale (1917-1941), Australian Leading Supply Assistant from Abbotsford, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 21
  • Mr. James John Gale (1876-1915), British seaman who was aboard the ship "HMS Bulwark" she exploded in the English Channel on the 26th November 1914, he survived but died of injuries later
  • Mr. Ronald M Gale (b. 1918), English Cook (O) serving for the Royal Navy from Southampton, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22
  • Mr. John Gale, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
  • ... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Gale 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: Qui semina vertu raccoglia fama

Suggested Readings for the name Gale +

  • Genealogy of the Gale Family by George Gale.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. 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)
  12. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) THE DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND - 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839DuchessOfNorthumberland.htm
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-clarke
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  21. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  22. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html

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