Gammale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Gammale comes from the given name Camel, a variation of the Old Norse name Gamall. The surname Gammale is also of nickname origin and refers to a person who had physical characteristics similar to a camel. These characteristics could include awkwardness and ill-temper. The origin is also toponymic, which means that the bearers came from Queen Camel or West Camel, which were parishes in Somerset.

Early Origins of the Gammale family

The surname Gammale was first found in Somerset, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

The Keymell variant hails from Cornwall. "This ancient and respectable family first came into England with William the Conqueror in 1066, and took up their principal abode in Somerset and Devon. But Geoffrey St. Aubyn on his marriage with Elizabeth, heiress of Keymell, became an inhabitant of Cornwall; in which county his descendants have ever since resided. This famous family, which was first denominated from Mount Seyntaubyn in Normandy, after their establishment in this country, formed alliances by marriages in their descent, with the several families of Keymell, Coleshill, Whittington, Grenvill, Mallet, Godolphin, Jenkin, Trenowth, De la Haye, and Morrice." 1

Early History of the Gammale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gammale research. Another 280 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1200, 1220, 1332, 1379, 1500, 1642 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Gammale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gammale Spelling Variations

Before 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 Gammale were recorded, including Camell, Cammel, Camel, Camule, Camyll, Gamyll, Cammell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gammale family

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

Migration of the Gammale family

To 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 Gammale family emigrate to North America: Edmund Camell who arrived in Virginia in 1637; James Camell in New England in 1652; and John Cammel who arrived in South Carolina in 1716.

Citations +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print