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The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Theal come from its first bearer, who 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 Theal refers to an individual who resembled a water-bird or duck in some way. 1 2
The surname Theal 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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Theal 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 Theal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Theal has been spelled many different ways, including Teale, Teal and others.
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 Theal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Theals to arrive in North America: