The Gorrell family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Gorrell is derived from the personal name Goraidh, an Old Norse forename. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Goraidh, which means son of Goraidh. or son of Godfrey.
Early Origins of the Gorrell family
The surname Gorrell was first found in on the Isle of Skye, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the Gorrell family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gorrell research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1380 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Gorrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gorrell Spelling Variations
Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Gorrell has been spelled MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGory, MacGorey and others.
Early Notables of the Gorrell family
More information is included under the topic Early Gorrell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gorrell Ranking
In the United States, the name Gorrell is the 10,626th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
Gorrell migration to the United States +
Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gorrell were among those contributors:
Gorrell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- James Gorrell, aged 39, who landed in New York in 1812 2
Contemporary Notables of the name Gorrell (post 1700) +
- Mrs. William E. Gorrell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky, 1964 3
- Theodore M. Gorrell, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Wheeling, West Virginia, 1864-65; Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Ohio County, 1865 3
- Robert W. Gorrell, American politician, Mayor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 1917-21 3
- R. A. Gorrell, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Pleasants County, 1899-1900 3
- Oliver Gorrell, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Pleasants County, 1883-84, 1887-88 3
- Herbert L. Gorrell, American politician, Representative from Illinois 10th District, 1990 3
- Henry N. Gorrell (b. 1893), American Republican politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Morgan County, 1941-42 3
- Harry H. Gorrell, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Jackson County, 1970 3
- Frank Gorrell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1980 3
- E. C. Gorrell, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1940 3
- ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The Gorrell 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html