EnglandThe surname Gastall was first found in Wasdale, or Nether Wasdale, a chapelry, in the parish of St. Bees, union of Whitehaven in Cumberland. Wasdale-Head is a chapelry, nit far from Wasdale. [1] The earliest spelling of the place name was Wastedale in 1279 in the Hundredorum Rolls. By 1334, the place name was known as Wascedaleheved and literally meant "valley of the water or lake". [2]
As far as the surname is concerned, it could also have been a Norman name as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae of 1180 listed Roger and Hugh Wastel living in Normandy at that time. [3]
However, another source notes that the name could also have derived from a type of "fine bread" or "wassail-bowl" as Chaucer notes as "Prioress fed her hounds with Wastel brede." [4]
Exploring the origins of the name in ancient Britain led to the year 1182 when Ralph Wastel held lands in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Soon thereafter the family branched north to Westmorland where they acquired Wastell-head. Ralph and Richard Wastel were listed the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. [5]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gastall research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1406, 1410, 1406, 1410, 1460, 1515, 1632, 1592, 1632, 1623, 1599 and 1602 are included under the topic Early Gastall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Wastell, Wastall, Wassell, Washtell, Wassall, Gastell, Westell, Wastoile, Westoile, Waistell, Wassell, Wessel, Wessell and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include Robert Wastell ( fl. 1406-1410) from Totnes, Devon, an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Totnes in 1406 and 1410; and John Wastell (1460-1515), English Gothic architect responsible for Manchester Cathedral, parts of King's College Chapel, Cambridge, the crossing tower (Bell Harry Tower) of Canterbury Cathedral, and the fan vaulted section of Peterborough Cathedral.
Simon Wastell (died 1632), was a...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gastall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Nicholas Westell, who was a child apprentice sent to Antigua (Antego) in 1721; Patience Westell, a bonded emigrant who settled came to Annapolis, MD in 1729.
Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day
Yes, all products 100% Guaranteed
The Best Rating possible
Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate
