Show ContentsGammile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gammile is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the given name Camel, a variation of the Old Norse name Gamall. The surname Gammile 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 Gammile family

The surname Gammile 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 Gammile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gammile 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 Gammile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gammile 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 Gammile have been found, including Camell, Cammel, Camel, Camule, Camyll, Gamyll, Cammell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gammile family

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

Migration of the Gammile 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. Among the first immigrants of the name Gammile, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : 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.



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


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