Show ContentsBoaal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Boaal

What does the name Boaal mean?

Among the all the peoples of ancient Scotland, the first to use the name Boaal were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name for someone who lived in Lanarkshire. The Boaal surname is a habitational name, taken on from the place name Arbuckle (or Arnbuckle), in the parish of Airdrie, Lanarkshire. The Gaelic name for the place was earrann buachaille, meaning the "herdsman's portion" (of land).

Early Origins of the Boaal family

The surname Boaal was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow. John Arnbuckle was recorded as a witness in Irvine in 1499, and later John Arbuckle purchased a lot of land in the city of Glasgow in the year 1511. 1

Early History of the Boaal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boaal research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1624, 1685, 1700, 1742, 1838 and 1912 are included under the topic Early Boaal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boaal Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Boaal has appeared as Arbuckle, Arnbuckle, Arbukile, Arbukill, Arbuckell, Arbuckles, Arbucles, Arbucle, Arbukle and many more.

Early Notables of the Boaal family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boaal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boaal family to Ireland

Some of the Boaal family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boaal family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: John Arbuckle who landed in America and settled in New Jersey in 1685; James Arbuckle settled in Augusta County VA. in 1762; Thomas Arbuckle settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1831.



  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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