Show ContentsArthel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Arthel

What does the name Arthel mean?

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Arthel is Mac Ardghail, from the word "ardghal," which means "high valor."

Early Origins of the Arthel family

The surname Arthel was first found in County Louth (Irish: Lú) the smallest county in Ireland, located on the East coast, in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Arthel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arthel research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1592 are included under the topic Early Arthel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arthel Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Arthel are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Cardle, McCardle, Cardell, McCardel, McCardell and others.

Early Notables of the Arthel family

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

Migration of the Arthel family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Arthel family in North America: Arthur, Edward, Henry, James, William Cardell all settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860; James McCardle, also Michael, Owen, Patrick, Philip, Thomas, and James McArdy all settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. Arthur, Peter, Philip and Mary McCardel settled in Pennsylvania between 1773 and 1845.


Contemporary Notables of the name Arthel (post 1700) +

  • Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (b. 1923), American guitar player, songwriter and singer who has won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award


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