Gemmil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The name Gemmil was derived from the Middle English word "Gamel" which meant the "old one." Gamel was a fairly popular personal name in Scotland particularly in Ayrshire. "Gemell" is also derived from the Italian word for "twins" and it if from this source that heralds derived the ordinary "bars-gemel" which dePicts "twin" bars or a pair of two barrulets, placed close together, referred to as one bar-gemel. Bars gemel were awarded for acts of particular bravery in times of war.

Early Origins of the Gemmil family

The surname Gemmil was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where one of the first records of the name was Gamel or Gamellus who witnessed charters by Richard, bishop of St. Andrews c. 1173. The same person witnessed a charter by Roger, bishop elect of St. Andrews relating to the church of Haddington c. 1189-1198.

Early History of the Gemmil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gemmil research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1173, 1250 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Gemmil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gemmil Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gemmell, Gemel, Gemell, Gemmel, Gemmill and others.

Early Notables of the Gemmil family

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

Gemmil migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gemmil Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Gemmil U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 1

Citations +

Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X