The name Gambell reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Gambell family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Gambell is based on the given name Gamel, which was common among the Danes and the Normans. The name Gambell was ultimately derived from the Old Norman word Gamall, which means old.
Another source notes: "this surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gamel,' a once popular but now forgotten North-English personal name. It is compounded with many local names. The modern accepted surname form is Gamble and Gambles." [1]
The surname Gambell was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Gamel is listed and in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. "In the latter ' Fitz Gamell' is also found. From the Anglo-Saxon gamol or gamel, old, aged. It is compounded with some Domesday names, as Gamel-bar, ' old bear' - Gamel-carle, 'old male,' - both in Yorkshire." [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gambell research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1158, 1297, 1450, 1687, 1666, 1865, 1618, 1629, 1640, 1659, 1663, 1670 and are included under the topic Early Gambell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Gambell has been recorded under many different variations, including Gamble, Gambel, Gambol and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Gamble (died 1687), composer and musician in the court of King Charles I of England and King Charles II of...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gambell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Gambell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 243 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Gambells were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: