Show ContentsTeerle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest origins of the Teerle surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who was referred to as the teal. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans. In this case the surname Teerle refers to an individual who resembled a water-bird or duck in some way. 1 2

Early Origins of the Teerle family

The surname Teerle was first found in Nottinghamshire where Ralph Tele was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1201. Later, Robert Tele was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and German le Tele was recorded in the Subisdy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two listings for the family, both found in Cambridgeshire: Matilda Tele; and Martin Tele. 4

In Somerset, John Teel was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

Early History of the Teerle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Teerle research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1720, 1749, 1790, 1800, 1833, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1867 are included under the topic Early Teerle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Teerle Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Teerle are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Teerle include: Teale, Teal and others.

Early Notables of the Teerle family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Thomas Pridgin Teale FRS (1800-1867), the British eminent surgeon, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 5 June 1862. His father Thomas Teale and his son Thomas Pridgin Teale were...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Teerle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Teerle family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Teerle or a variant listed above: Thomas Teall settled in Virginia in 1654; Christian Teal settled in Maryland in 1763; Weyan Teale settled in Virginia in 1727; D. Teale arrived in New York in 1823..



The Teerle Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fideliter
Motto Translation: Faithfully.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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