Show ContentsGingell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Gingell surname is of uncertain origins, but is thought to be a local name for someone "of Gingdale."

Early Origins of the Gingell family

The surname Gingell was first found in Wiltshire and Gloucester where they held a family seat. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time.

Early History of the Gingell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gingell research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1570, 1576, 1630, 1674, 1688, 1703, 1762 and 1873 are included under the topic Early Gingell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gingell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gingell, Gingold, Gingle, Gingen, Ginkell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gingell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone (1630-1703), eldest son of Godard Adriaan van Reede, Baron Ginkel, born at Utrecht in 1630. He was educated for a military career, and...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gingell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Gingell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Gingell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Gingell, aged 43, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
  • Annie Gingell, aged 43, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
  • Edwin Gingell, aged 15, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
  • Clara Gingell, aged 13, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
  • Thomas Gingell, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Gingell (post 1700) +

  • Robert Gingell, American engineer and scientist with Sun Microsystems
  • William Bruce Gingell (1819-1899), English architect, known for his work in Bristol
  • Arthur "Albert" Gingell (1883-1947), English bronze medalist wrestler at the 1908 Summer Olympics
  • John Gingell, English Chairman of Corsham Town F.C
  • Ron Gingell (1920-1988), British professional footballer, football scout and manager
  • Professor Susan Gingell, Canadian authority on Canadian Literature at the University of Saskatchewan
  • Julian Gingell (b. 1969), British songwriter and record producer
  • Judy Gingell (b. 1948), Aboriginal Canadian politician, Commissioner of the Yukon from 1995 to 2000
  • Air Chief Marshal Sir John Gingell GBE, KCB, KCVO, RAF (1925-2009), British Royal Air Force commander, Officer Commanding No. 27 Squadron flying Vulcan B2s in 1963, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the Houses of Parliament until 1992
  • Audrey Gingell, 1989 Miss World Contestant for Gibraltar


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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