Keryell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Keryell

What does the name Keryell mean?

The ancestors of the Keryell surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the parish of Cherhill, which was located three miles from Calne in the diocese of Salisbury and the county of Wiltshire. 1 The surname Keryell belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Keryell family

The surname Keryell was first found in Wiltshire, at Cherhill which dates back to at least 1155 when it was known at that time as Ciriel. The parish is thought to have been derived from the Celtic words for "fertile land," with a Celtic river-name as the first element. 2

Early History of the Keryell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keryell research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1500 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Keryell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keryell 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 Keryell include Cherrill, Cheril, Cherril, Cherill, Churhille, Churhylle, Cherrall, Cherhill, Chirel, Cherrille, Keryle and many more.

Early Notables of the Keryell family

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

Migration of the Keryell 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: William Cherrall who arrived in New England in 1635.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)