Surname Gambrel - Meaning and Origin

Gambrel: What does the surname Gambrel mean?

The surname Gambrel is of French origin, derived from the word "gamberon" which means "groin". It was originally used as a nickname in the Middle Ages, given to a person with a distinctive gait or physical movement resembling the hock or hind leg of a horse or other similar mammal; it could also have been given to someone with bow legs.

The name later came to represent a type of roof design known as a gambrel roof, which is typically seen on barns and has two slopes on each side with the upper slope being positioned at a shallow angle and the lower one being steep.

Overall, the surname Gambrel carries strong ties to characteristics of anatomy and architecture. Like most surnames, it served to differentiate individuals and families before the widespread use of personal names.

Gambrel: Where does the name Gambrel come from?

The last name Gambrel is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the words "gamerel," which means truss or coupling, or "gamol," which means old. Another possible origin is the Middle English term "gambrel," used to describe a kind of hooked bar or crook. This surname was first found in Lincolnshire, England, during the Middle Ages and was likely occupational for a maker or user of such a device. Some of the first recorded instances of the Gambrel surname are from the 15th century, in manorial rolls and tax records.

The surname Gambrel is not extremely common today but can be found in small concentrations in various countries. Predominantly it is found in the United States, followed by England, Canada, and Australia. Within the US, it tends to be most concentrated in the South and Midwest. However, the total number of people with the Gambrel surname globally is estimated to be less than 5,000.

Variations of the surname Gambrel

The surname Gambrel is of English origin and is thought to be a topographical name for someone who lived by a patch of rough ground cleared of timber. The origin of the surname is from Old English "gamel", which means old or ancient, and "hyrst", meaning wooded hill. Over time, due to migration and language adaptations, the surname has several variants and spellings.

These include Gambrill, Gambril, Gamrill, Gamble, Gammell, Gamell, Gemmell, Gumble, and possibly others. Additional variations may arise from transcription errors in handwritten records, language variations, and cultural naming conventions.

It's important to note that variations of a surname don't necessarily infer a direct lineage. While surnames often offer clues about the geographical and historical background of a family, definitive connections typically require more in-depth genealogical research. Certainly, surnames with similar spellings or phonetic similarities often share a common ancestry, but it's not a hard and fast rule. Therefore, it's always important to corroborate the relationship with more direct evidence when tracing back lineage through surnames.

Famous people with the name Gambrel

• Isaac Gambrel, American judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
• Neal Gambrel, Hall of Fame coach of the Auburn Boomers baseball team
• Mike Gambrel, Major League Baseball pitcher and first-round draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles
• Douglas Gambrel, American business executive and philanthropist
• Kelly Gambrel, former Miss California
• Bob Gambrel, former NFL running back for the Seattle Seahawks
• Jeff Gambrel, former professional golfer
• Paul Gambrel, the late American minister and civil rights leader
• Bruce Gambrel, award-winning television and film producer
• Forrest Gambrel, renowned sculptor and painter

Other surnames

Gambrell