Axstill History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Anglo-Saxon name Axstill comes 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 Axstill familyThe surname Axstill was first found in Norfolk, where the family held a family seat. Early History of the Axstill familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Axstill 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 Axstill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Axstill Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Axstill were recorded, including 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 Axstill familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Simon Asketel, the rector of Boyton, Norfolk in 1361; Roger Asketil, the rector of Randworth, Norfolk in 1391; and Colonel... Migration of the Axstill familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Axstill family emigrate to North America: Tho Axstell, age 35; who settled in Virginia in 1635; Nathaniel Axtell, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639; Henry Axtell, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1660.
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