Gorler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Gorler

What does the name Gorler mean?

The surname Gorler 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 Gorler family

The surname Gorler 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 Gorler family

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

Gorler Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Gorler include Goawler, Gowler, Goveler, Gaveler and others.

Early Notables of the Gorler family

More information is included under the topic Early Gorler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gorler family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)