Surname Gaskell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gaskell: What does the surname Gaskell mean?
The surname Gaskell is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is thought to be geographical and derived from a place known as "Gaskell" in Lancashire in Northwest England. Hence, the surname might have been used to reference someone who originally came from that area.
The place name "Gaskell" itself is composed of two Old English elements - "gafol", meaning tribute or rent, and "scylf", meaning peak or hill. Thus, Gaskell can be interpreted to mean "hill where rent is paid" indicating a place where tenants paid their annual rents.
So, in essence, if a person bore the surname Gaskell, it conveyed that he or she hailed from the region that was known for its tribute hill. It's a common practice for surnames to evolve this way, indicating geographical origin, occupation, or ancestral relations. Over time such names become identities independent of their original meanings. Notable people with the surname Gaskell include the British author Elizabeth Gaskell.
Order DNA origin analysisGaskell: Where does the name Gaskell come from?
The surname Gaskell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from England. It is a locational surname referring to someone from the villages of either Gaskell in Lancashire or Gaskill in Cheshire. The name is a combination of the Old Norse "geisk," meaning "ravine," and the Old English "hyll," meaning "hill." The name became prevalent during the Middle Ages when it was customary to adopt village names as surnames when individuals moved to new areas.
This last name isn't particularly common today and it's dispersed worldwide with concentrations primarily in English-speaking countries. However, the surname is most frequently encountered in England, particularly in Lancashire, given its origin. In fact, according to Forebears, a site that compiles global surname data, the greatest number of people with the Gaskell last name are found in England. Other areas where the Gaskell surname is somewhat common include Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and Canada. The name is still associated with the north-west region of England, especially around Greater Manchester.
Variations of the surname Gaskell
The surname Gaskell originates from England. Variations of this name include Gaskill, Gaskells, and Gaskel.
The surname is derived from a place of the same name in Lancashire. It's a locational name meaning 'a clearing where goats are kept', which comes from the Old Norse word "geit" meaning goat, and "skali" meaning a shelter or hut.
It's also possible that some variations of the name, such as Gascoigne or Gaskins, may have a similar origin or might have evolved into Gaskell in some instances.
Other surnames such as Gascoll or Gascall are much less common, but may also derive from the same root. However, because surnames can change significantly over time due to factors like geographical movement, changing literacy rates, and differing dialects, determining a definitive list of all possible variations is challenging.
Despite the different spellings, all these names share a common origin from the place named Gaskell in Lancashire, England. Jared Gascoll, a singer and songwriter, is a notable person with this variant of the surname.
The distribution of the Gaskell surname is widespread, with significant populations of Gaskells in the United States, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Gaskell
- Elizabeth Gaskell: A celebrated British author whose novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of various strata of Victorian society, including "North and South" and "Wives and Daughters."
- Walter Holbrook Gaskell: A British physiologist known for his pioneer work in cardiac physiology.
- John Gaskell: A prominent 19th-century British architect known for his work in Gothic revival architecture.
- Eve Gaskell: A British author known for her short stories and novels including "Claud's Cart", "Awaiting Developments", and "Reflected Glory".
- Florence Gaskell: A British artist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, best known for her paintings.
- Philip Gaskell: A noted British scholar, librarian and bibliographer, who made significant contributions to the study of the history of the book.
- James Gaskell: An English rugby union footballer who currently plays for Wasps RFC.
- Bryan Gaskell: A former English cricketer.
- Leanne Gaskell: A retired professional footballer from England, who played as a defender.
- Ian Gaskell: A British actor who has appeared in a number of popular TV series, including "Doctors" and "The Bill."