Gostling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Gostling was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. Gostling is based on the Germanic given name Gozzelin, which is a diminutive that translates as the little god. The surname Gostling was formed in the vernacular or regional naming tradition, which is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names were widespread throughout Normandy. Accordingly, many typical English and French names are in fact, originally of Germanic origin and often have cognates in other European countries.

Early Origins of the Gostling family

The surname Gostling was first found in Jersey where the earliest on record was Robert Gosselin who was made Governor of the fortress of Mont Orgueil after saving the fort from the French.

However, Cheshire may be an early origin of the family too, as Henry Goseling was listed there in the Assize Rolls for 1260. Years later, Robert Goseling and Maud Gosselyng were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Cheshire in 1327. "Gosling is, no doubt, often a late development of Goslin." 1

"A family of Norman origin who have long resided in Guernsey. They claim descent from Robert Gosselin, who for eminent services in the rescue of Mont Orgueil from the French in 1339, is said to have been made governor of that fortress, and to have received from Edward III. a grant of the arms now borne by his descendants." 2

Early History of the Gostling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gostling research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1229, 1529, 1566, 1603, 1614, 1619, 1621, 1626, 1632, 1678, 1679, 1693, 1696, 1704, 1733, 1758 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Gostling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gostling Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Gosselin, Goselin, Goselyn, Goslin, Gosline, Gosling, Gosslyn, Gossling, Gosselyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Gostling family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

William Gostling (1696-1777), was an English antiquary, son of the Rev. John Gostling. 3
John Gostling (d. 1733), the English chorister, "was born, probably at Canterbury, about the middle of the seventeenth century. Thomas Purcell, the uncle of the composer, wrote a letter dated 8 Feb. 1...

Migration of the Gostling family to Ireland

Some of the Gostling family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gostling migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gostling Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Gostling, (b. 1810), aged 38, English farm labourer who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 1st January 1850, arriving in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Gostling (post 1700) +

Brigadier Guy Standish Noakes Gostling (b. 1901), Commanding Officer 2nd Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (1945) 5
General Phillip Stonehouse Gostling,

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/australasia
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, September 15) Guy Gostling. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Gostling/Guy_Standish_Noakes/Canada.html