Show ContentsBaxhall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Baxhall surname lived in Boxhulle, in Sussex, or in Boxwell, in Gloucestershire. While most sources claim the Sussex location is the point of origin, Bardsley believes "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Boxwell,' a parish in Gloucestershire, six miles from Tetbury." 1

Early Origins of the Baxhall family

The surname Baxhall was first found in Sussex at Boxhulle, "an ancient manor in Salehurst, among whose lords was Alan de Boxall, one of the earliest Knights of the Garter. " 2

"This name is clearly traced to Boxhulle, an ancient manor in Salehurst, co. Sussex, among whose lords was Alan de Buxhall, one of the earliest Knights of the Garter. In this same county the name has been queerly varied to Boxall, Boxsell, Buckshell, Baxhall." 2

Sir Alan Buxhall (1323-1381), Constable of the Tower. He was the "son of Alan Bokeshull, or Buxhull, the tenant in capite of a messuage now known as Bugzell, in the parish of Salehurst, Sussex and of other lands in the same county, and who also held the manor and church of Bryanstone, in Dorsetshire, all of which were, upon his death in 1325, inherited by his son Alan, then an infant two years old." 3

Early History of the Baxhall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baxhall research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1542, 1571, 1855, 1882, 1927 and 1945 are included under the topic Early Baxhall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baxhall Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Baxhall are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Baxhall include: Boxall, Buckshell, Boockshell, Boxull, Boxell, Boxhulle, Boxhall, Baxhall, Boxnell, Baxull, Boxsell, Bochshall and many more.

Early Notables of the Baxhall family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Allan Boxall of Salehurst; and John Boxall (died 1571), an English churchman and Secretary of State to Mary I of England...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baxhall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baxhall family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Baxhall or a variant listed above: James Boxall who arrived in Philadelphia in 1838; another James arrived 5 years later.



  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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