Show ContentsGeskell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Geskell family

The surname Geskell was first found in Westmorland, at Gaisgill, a "hamlet two miles from Tebay." [1] The village name literally meant " wild-goose valley." [2] Today the hamlet is amalgamated with Tebay in Cumbria.

"The hamlet of Gaisgill being on the Yorkshire border, it is easy to see why the surname is found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax for West Riding of Yorkshire in 1379:" Alicia de Gasegill; Agnes de Gasegyll; Johannes Gaysegill; Robertus Gaysegill; Katerina de Gaseggyl; and Jacobus de Gasegill, of 'Rymyngton' all held lands there at that time.

In Scotland, where the name is now more popular, one of the first records was that of Thomas Gaskel, who was one of the witnesses in a dispute concerning lands of Monachkeneran in 1233. [3]

One noted source postulated the family originated in Normandy, France and emigrated to northern England and southern Scotland shortly after the Conquest as he believes the family originated in Gascuil, Vascoeuil, or Wascuil, near Andelys, Normandy. Gilbert de Wascuil occurs there 1180-1195 according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. [4]

Two sources claim the name was originally Gaelic from Gaisgeil, meaning valorous. [5] [6]

Early History of the Geskell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Geskell research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1560, 1742, 1805, 1810, 1819, 1824, 1825, 1865, 1872 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Geskell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Geskell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gaskell, Gaskill, Gaitskill, Gaitskell and others.

Early Notables of the Geskell family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Samuel Gaskell, a tanner at Newton Stewart in 1742.William Gaskell (1805-1884), Unitarian minister, eldest son of William Gaskell (d. 15 March 1819), sail-canvas manufacturer, was born at Latchford, near Warrington, on 24 July 1805. Of an old nonconformist family, he was early destined for the ministry. After studying at Glasgow, where he graduated M.A. in 1824, he was admitted in 1825 to Manchester College, York, being nominated by Thomas Belsham as a divinity student on the Hackney fund. Gaskell died at his residence, Plymouth Grove, Manchester, on 11 June 1884; he was buried...
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Geskell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Geskell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Lawrence Gaskell who settled in Maryland in 1774; Elinor Gaskill settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; followed by John in 1840; Ellis in 1878.



The Geskell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spe
Motto Translation: By hope.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. 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)
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print


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