Show ContentsCunnell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cunnell family

The surname Cunnell was first found in Normandy where "Gunwell, Gonville or Conteville, descended from Herluin, Lord of Conteville by his first marriage, the issue of which, Ralph de Conteville is stated by Orderic Vitalis to have had grants from the Conqueror in England. Accordingly in 1083 he appears holding lands in Somerset, his barony being held in Gloucester, and being held 1086 by his son Fitz-Ralph." 1 2

Edmund Gonvile (d. 1351), founder of Gonville Hall, Cambridge, and of Rushworth College, Norfolk, is described in the commemoration service of Gonville and Caius College as a son of Sir Nicholas Gonvile. 3

Early History of the Cunnell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cunnell research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1172 and 1327 are included under the topic Early Cunnell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cunnell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gunnels, Gunnells, Gunnild, Gunild, Gunilt, Gunnild, Gunnilt, Gunnett, Gunnet, Gonnel and many more.

Early Notables of the Cunnell family

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

Migration of the Cunnell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..


Contemporary Notables of the name Cunnell (post 1700) +

  • Robert Edmund "Bob" Cunnell (1942-2023), English cricketer, a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm off break for Suffolk (1960-1979)


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook