Show ContentsGawler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Gawler Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Gawler

What does the name Gawler mean?

The surname Gawler was derived from the Middle English words: "gaveler", "goveler" or "gouler," translating into "usurer" which in turn was derived from the Old English word "gafol" meaning "tribute, rent, interest." Therefore, one can presume that the name was originally an occupational name.

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the occupational "gaoler," or in modern terms a "jailer." 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Gawler family

The surname Gawler was first found in Dorset, England where Ralph Gaulere was listed as hold lands in the Pipe Rolls of 1206. Later, William le Gavelere was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1305. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included entries for Adam le Gaoler, Norfolk; Richard le Gayeler, Oxfordshire; and John le Gaylur, Bedfordshire; while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls listed Thomas Gaylour as holding lands there at that time. 5

Early History of the Gawler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gawler research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1305, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Gawler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gawler Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Gawler are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Gawler include: Goawler, Gowler, Goveler, Gaveler and others.

Early Notables of the Gawler family

  • the Gawler family of Dorset

Gawler migration to Australia +

Gawler Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George Gawler, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 6
  • Maria Gawler, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 6
  • Henry Gawler, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 6
  • Julia Gawler, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Gawler (post 1700) +

  • George Gawler (1796-1869), English Governor of South Australia, son of Samuel Gawler, captain of the 73rd regiment 7
  • William Gawler (1750-1809), English organist, teacher, and composer, son of a schoolmaster, born in 1750 in Lambeth, England 8
  • Edward Gawler Prior (1853-1920), English mining engineer, and politician, member of the Canadian House of Commons
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The PESTONJEE BOMANJEE 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838PestonjeeBomanjee.htm
  7. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020

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