McGasgell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

McGasgell comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from an ancient Norse warrior name Askell, which means cauldron of the Gods and denoted son of Asgaill.

Early Origins of the McGasgell family

The surname McGasgell was first found in living on the Islands of Skye and of Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. On Skye, ancestors of the McGasgell Clan occupied the district of "Rubha an Dunain, " where the ruins of the family residence may seen to this day.

Early History of the McGasgell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGasgell research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1863 and 1795 are included under the topic Early McGasgell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGasgell Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McGasgell has appeared as MacAskill, MacAskill, Gaskell, Gaskill, MacGaskill, MacKaskil, MacKaskill and many more.

Early Notables of the McGasgell family (pre 1700)

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGasgell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McGasgell family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name McGasgell or a variant listed above: Kenneth MacAskill, who arrived in North Carolina in 1750.

The McGasgell 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: Spea
Motto Translation: By hope.