Bergel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Bergel date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Bergel family lived in one of two towns called Birchill in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Alternatively the family could have originated in the parish of Bircholt, in the union of East Ashford, franchise and barony of Bircholt, lathe of Shepway, E. division of Kent. 1 2

Early Origins of the Bergel family

The surname Bergel was first found in Cheshire, where John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth was first recorded in 1401. Later the Wills at Chester included entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early East Cheshire records show John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth, Cheshire, but no date is given. The Source Wills at Chester includes entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early History of the Bergel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bergel research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1778, 1784 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Bergel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bergel 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 Bergel 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 Bergel include: Birchall, Birchill, Birchalls, Birchills and many more.

Early Notables of the Bergel family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Birchall, a London music-publisher said to have been apprenticed to Randall, the successor of Walsh who established a musical circulating library about 1784. Prior to which, he had been associated in business with Beardmore and also with Andrewes, successively at 129...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bergel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bergel migration to the United States +

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 Bergel or a variant listed above:

Bergel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh Christ Rahel Bergel, who arrived in Texas in 1854 4

The Bergel 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: Quaerere verum
Motto Translation: To seek the truth.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)