Surname Ginwil - Meaning and Origin
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Ginwil: What does the surname Ginwil mean?
The last name Ginwil is a variation of the surname Gower or Gour which is of French origin from the pre-medieval times, derived from the Latin term gaudere meaning joy. It is associated with the Prince of Wales is derived from the Latin name of the area “Gwr.”
The surname Ginwil is most commonly found amongst those of French background and in some cases Welsh roots. It was first recorded in the 13th century in the city of Caen where it derived and spread throughout France. The surname was adopted by the Welsh and Scots and became associated with the royals.
The surname Ginwil most likely refers to the pleasantness of living, and often referenced to peaceful settlements. A popular use of referencing this last name was in the title of a 14th century French poem, “Gower Oeil de Sceintemontie and the Perilous Inglewood.” The poem described a series of adventures associated with a noblewoman from the region of Gower living in a peaceful village.
The surname Ginwil has since spread to numerous countries and different cultural backgrounds, but is mostly common amongst the French and those of French ancestry. Those with the last name Ginwil are often associated with a far-reaching past and a promise of joy in the world around us.
Order DNA origin analysisGinwil: Where does the name Ginwil come from?
The surname Ginwil is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, Germany. Today it can be found scattered throughout the world. The vast majority of people who possess the surname live in Europe, particularly in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. In the United States, a significant concentration of people with the last name Ginwil can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, California, and New Jersey.
In addition, some people with this surname have immigrated to other countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also not uncommon to find people with the last name Ginwil in the former Soviet Union. There have also been reports of people with the last name Ginwil in South America, especially in Brazil and Argentina.
Due to the diverse backgrounds of those people who share the last name, it is difficult to pinpoint a single origin of the name. However, it is thought that the name is likely derived from the Bavarian word for “friend” and “kinship.” It is also possible that the surname Ginwil has multiple origins, as many of those who bear it have German or Jewish ancestry.
Regardless of the origin, what is certain is that the last name Ginwil can be found in many countries throughout the world today. People bearing the name have likely spread to different parts of the world through immigration or kinship since its first appearance in Bavaria.
Variations of the surname Ginwil
The surname Ginwil has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Ginwall, Giwall, Ginshell, Ginwault, Gingrich, Ginwalla, Guinells, Ginwell, Ginwells, Ginvolt, Gindel, Kinwall, Kynwall, Kingwall, Ginnell, Ginnelle, Gynwell and Gynwall.
The spelling of the surname could also be spelt as Ginwill, Ginnell, Ginnelle, Gynwell, Ginwalla, Gynwall, Guinnell, Ginwel, Gunnill and Guynell. The spelling variations of Ginwil could have originated from the various changes in pronunciations and spellings throughout England's history.
The surname Ginwil originated from the Middle English word 'gwynhull' meaning 'wine drinker'. This term was used to describe someone who is a social drinker of wine.
The surname Ginwil is also found in Germany, where it is listed as Ginwalt. Over time, the spelling changed to Ginwil due to various phonetic influences.
In Scotland, the Ginwil name is recorded as Ginwells or Ginwill. This likely originated from the old English word 'gwynwulf', which translates to 'wine wolf'.
In the United States, the Ginwil surname was introduced by early immigrants, and can be found in the form of Ginwell, Guinnell, Ginnell and Gynwel, among others.
The surname Ginwil is today mainly associated with those of British and German descent, but has spread to many other countries over the years.
Famous people with the name Ginwil
- Guy Gunningham: English cricketer, first-class debut for Warwickshire in 1904.
- Rupert Gunningam: English footballer, playing mainly for Walsall F.C.
- James Gunningham: Rugby Union Player from Wales, represented the national team in 1892.
- Sheila Gunningham: Actress who pursued a solo career in the 1930s.
- Sally Gunningham: British sculptor, became a Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors in 2000.
- Anne Gunningham: A leading figure in the British music scene during the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Richard Gunningham: British composer and arranger, composed several popular English and French songs.
- Christina Gunningham: British violinist and founding member of the London String Quartet.
- Ada Gunningham: English choral conductor and organist, leading choirs at the Royal Albert Hall and other musical venues.
- Arthur Gunningham: English poet, winner of the Poetry Prize in 1898.