Chirel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Chirel

What does the name Chirel mean?

The name Chirel is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in the parish of Cherhill, which was located three miles from Calne in the diocese of Salisbury and the county of Wiltshire. 1 The surname Chirel belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Chirel family

The surname Chirel was first found in Wiltshire, at Cherhill which dates back to at least 1155 when it was known at that time as Ciriel. The parish is thought to have been derived from the Celtic words for "fertile land," with a Celtic river-name as the first element. 2

Early History of the Chirel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chirel research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1500 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Chirel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chirel Spelling Variations

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. Chirel has been spelled many different ways, including Cherrill, Cheril, Cherril, Cherill, Churhille, Churhylle, Cherrall, Cherhill, Chirel, Cherrille, Keryle and many more.

Early Notables of the Chirel family

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

Migration of the Chirel family

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 Chirels to arrive in North America: William Cherrall who arrived in New England in 1635.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)