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Show ContentsArgyll History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Argyll is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Argyll is a name that comes from the Dutch surname Van Arkel. The name Van Arkel may spring from the Anglo-Saxon form of Hercules, which is Ercol. A less likely root of the name is the parish of Ercoll Magna, or High Ercoll in Shropshire.

Early Origins of the Argyll family

The surname Argyll was first found in Norfolk, where the Saxon name Arnketel was found in 1019. 1 Archetel, Archel and Archil are all found in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

Later in Northumberland, Archil de Corebr was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1159 and in 1256, Richard Arkill was listed in the Assize Rolls. The Hundredorum Rolls for Huntingdonshire include Roger Arketyl and in Yorkshire, the first entry for the family was as a forename: Arkell de Breddal in 1219. Later, William Harkill, Arkel was recorded in 1316 and 1331. John Arcle was a Freeman of York in 1455. 1

In Berwickshire, Scotland, this northern branch of the family name descended from Anketell, or Arnketill. 3

Early History of the Argyll family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Argyll research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1500, 1533, 1572, 1588, 1609, 1610, 1621 and 1626 are included under the topic Early Argyll History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Argyll Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Argyll family name include Arkell, Arkle, Arkill, Arcle, Argal, Argall, Arnkell, Artell, Artill, Arctall, Arktale, Arktell, Arktull, Arkgale and many more.

Early Notables of the Argyll family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Argall (c.1533-1588) of East Sutton, Kent; and his son, Sir Samuel Argall (c. 1572-1626), an English adventurer, Naval officer and Deputy-Governor of Virginia. He was "descended from an old Kentish family who afterwards settled at Walthamstow in Essex. His first appearance in history is among the early adventurers to Virginia, where we find him in July 1609 in charge of a small barque lying at anchor off Jamestown, where he was sent to trade on behalf of a Mr, Cornells, and to fish for sturgeon. His next task, after his return home...
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Argyll Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Argyll family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Argyll family to immigrate North America: Sir Samuel Argal who settled in Virginia in 1624.

Contemporary Notables of the name Argyll (post 1700) +

  • Duke John Douglas Sutherland Argyll (1845-1914), 9th Duke of Argyll
  • Duke John Argyll (1678-1743), 2nd Duke of Argyll
  • Earl Archibald Argyll (1629-1685), 9th Earl of Argyll
  • Earl Archibald Argyll (1598-1661), Marquis and 8th Earl of Argyll
  • Earl Archibald Argyll (1576-1638), 7th Earl of Argyll
  • Earl Archibald Argyll (1530-1573), 5th Earl of Argyll
  • Duke Archibald Argyll, 1st Duke of Argyll
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. 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)
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