Serle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Serle

What does the name Serle mean?

Serle is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Serle family lived in Cornwall. Their name, however, is a reference to Serlo, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. However, may of the family remained in Normandy as seen by Robert Sorel who was listed there (1180-1195.) 1

Early Origins of the Serle family

The surname Serle was first found in Cornwall where the name can be found from ancient times as both a surname and a forename. Sarlo Iuuenis was one of the first on record in 1091-1093. 2

"Thankes or Thancks, a delightful residence in the [parish of Antony in East, Cornwall] is situated near Torpoint, on the margin of the Hamoaze. This place originally took its name from a family called Thomke, who resided on it, and to whom it was enfranchised in the reign of Henry V. From the Thonke family it passed to the Searles, and from the Searles it was conveyed to the Warne family." 3

In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the name continues to be found in both ways: Sarle Tinctor in Huntingdonshire and Matilda Sarle in Cambridgeshire. 4

There is a history of an association with clergy as shown by Robert Saryll, clericus in 1412 in Yorkshire, and few years later in the same area Thomas Serle, capallanus, filius Roberti Sarle, clerici in 1438. 2

One would presume that these latter two listings were father and son who both followed the same profession.

Early History of the Serle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Serle research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1414, 1419, 1449, 1456, 1620, 1656, 1659, 1683, 1777, 1789, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1802 and 1849 are included under the topic Early Serle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Serle Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Serle has been recorded under many different variations, including Searle, Searles, Searl, Sarl, Sarrell, Serrell and others.

Early Notables of the Serle family

John Serle (fl. 1414-1449), English politician from Plympton, Devon, English Member of Parliament for Plympton Erle; John Serle (died 1456), from Southampton, an English Member of Parliament for Ports...

Migration of the Serle family to Ireland

Some of the Serle 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.

Serle migration to Australia +

Serle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Serle, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Buckinghamshire" in 1839 5
Jane Serle, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1848 6

Serle migration to the United States +

Serle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Serle, who arrived in Maryland in 1637 7
Susanna Serle, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Serle (post 1700) +

Ambrose Serle (1742-1812), English Calvinistic writer who entered the navy, in which by 1795 he had attained the rank of Captain
William Serle OBE (1912-1992), Scottish ornithologist, doctor, and Church of Scotland minister
Rebecca Serle, American author and television writer
Percival Serle (1871-1951), Australian biographer and bibliographer
Christopher Richard Serle (1943-2024), British BBC TV presenter, reporter and actor

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Buckinghamshire.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FORFARSHIRE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Forfarshire.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)