Byrkell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestry of the name Byrkell dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in either the settlement of Birtle in the county of Lancashire or the settlement of Birtles in the county of Cheshire. The names of these places are derived from the Old English word bridd, meaning young bird or nestling, and indicates that the places were originally known as nesting grounds for birds.

Early Origins of the Byrkell family

The surname Byrkell was first found in Cheshire at Birtles, a township, in the parish of Prestbury, union and hundred of Macclesfield. "Birtles Hall and demesne belonged for many generations to the Birtles family." 1

Early History of the Byrkell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Byrkell research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1602 is included under the topic Early Byrkell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Byrkell 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 Byrkell have been found, including Birtles, Byrtles, Birchell, Birchells and others.

Early Notables of the Byrkell family

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

Migration of the Byrkell family to Ireland

Some of the Byrkell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Byrkell family

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 Byrkell, or a variant listed above: William Birchell who arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1880.