Show ContentsMatchell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Matchell family

The surname Matchell was first found in Westmorland where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 11th century when they held estates in that shire. One of the first records of the name was Halthe le Machel who was listed there during the reign of Henry I. Humfrey le Machel was also listed in the rolls of Henry II. These latter rolls also lists William Malus Catulus in 1179 and William Manchel in 1206. 1

Early History of the Matchell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matchell research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1234, 1374, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1536, 1600, 1614, 1637, 1663, 1666, 1670, 1671, 1699, 1702, 1704 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Matchell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matchell Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Matchell include Machell, Machael, Mauchel, Mauchell, Machel, Mackell, Mackel, Mauckell, Mauckel, Maukel and many more.

Early Notables of the Matchell family

Distinguished members of the family include John Machell (1637-1704), Member of Parliament for Horsham, Sussex, from Hills Place Horsham. in 1663, he courted the sister of Samuel Gott (1614-1671), but Gott would not consent to the match. Machell and a close relative called him to an ale-house where Machell beat...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Matchell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Matchell family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Matchell were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  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)


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