Scobell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Scobell family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Scobell family originally lived in Cornwall. Their name however, is derived from the village of Scoville, Normandy, where the family lived before arriving with the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Early Origins of the Scobell family

The surname Scobell was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of St. Austell and also having branches at Mavaggissey, Polrudden, Tregonnan and Menagwins. Another reference claims this name in old Cornish language signifies broom-plant. "The family have flourished for a long series of generations, in knightly and gentle degree, in that part of England." 1 The first one record was Thomas de Scobbahull, Sheriff of Devon in 1291. 2

"Although Menagwins [Cornwall] exhibits at present no other dwelling than a farm-house, it still retains several memorials of departed grandeur that were the companions of its former fame. In the days of Charles I. it was the seat of Richard Scobell, who was afterwards clerk of the parliament under Oliver Cromwell. About a century ago it was the habitation of Francis Scobell, Esq. who married one of the co-heiresses of Sir John Tredinham, knight." 3

Early History of the Scobell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Scobell research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1291, 1610, 1648 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Scobell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scobell Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Scobell, Scobel, Schobell, Schobel, Scobahull, Scobbahull, Scobhull, Scobhill, Scoble, Scobal and many more.

Early Notables of the Scobell family

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

Scobell migration to Canada +

Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Scobell or a variant listed above:

Scobell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Sydney Scobell, who was on record in the census of 1871 of Ontario

Scobell migration to Australia +

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

Scobell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Scobell, (b. 1830), aged 26, Cornish sawyer departing from Plymouth on 10th September 1856 aboard the ship "Medway" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 13th December 1856 4
Mrs. Mary Scobell, (b. 1834), aged 22, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 10th September 1856 aboard the ship "Medway" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 13th December 1856 4
Mr. Thomas Scobell, (b. 1856), aged Infant, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 10th September 1856 aboard the ship "Medway" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 13th December 1856 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Scobell (post 1700) +

George E. Scobell (b. 1861), American Republican politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 6th District, 1903-04 5
Dr. Andrew Scobell, Associate Research Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 13) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html