Surname Gunnells - Meaning and Origin

Gunnells: What does the surname Gunnells mean?

The last name Gunnells is of English origin. It is derived from a geographical locality, specifically a dweller by or worker in the gun (or gon), which was an excavation for water or an area shoreward of an inlet or watercourse and the sea. In Middle English, the word was also used to refer to a fortified gatehouse built alongside a waterway as part of a castle’s defense system.

The Gunnells family first settled in County Wiltshire in the South West of England during the 10th century, and the earliest recorded use of the surname was in 1294 by a family living in the Guildenwell region of Wiltshire.

The Gunnells name is associated with characteristics of hard work, resourcefulness, and strength. People with this last name are often seen as natural communicators and great problem solvers. People with the Gunnells name are welcoming, friendly and open-minded, often coming up with creative solutions to problems and bringing teams together. They generally have an open and outgoing nature and display a lot of loyalty. Gunnells also have strong leadership qualities, making them easy to follow.

Gunnells: Where does the name Gunnells come from?

The surname Gunnells is of English origin. It is derived from a place name with the same spelling in Shropshire, England. Gunnells is most prevalent in Britain, with the most densely populated area of the surname being in the North West region. Specifically, within Lancashire and Cheshire. The surname Gunnells is also found throughout the United States, particularly in the South and Southwest. Texas in particular has a large concentration of the surname, with over a hundred individuals present in the state in 2020.

The Gunnells name is also present in Canada, particularly within the populous provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. While family name distribution is generally declining across the whole of the United Kingdom, the surname is still well represented in the region. It is very likely that Gunnells have been present in the area for a very long time, as records of a Gunnell family in the parish of Churchstoke, Shropshire date back to 1273. This suggests that the Gunnell family has been living in the area for over 700 years. As such, it is not surprising that the surname is still present in the North West region today.

Variations of the surname Gunnells

The surname Gunnells has various alternate spellings and variants around the world. The most common variants are Gunnill and Gunnills. Other historical variants include Gunale, Gunell, Gunnile, Gunhell and Gunhile.

The Gunnells spelling is most common in countries of British origin such as the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand. It is believed to be of English, Scottish or Welsh origin based on its distribution pattern. Specifically, surnames of this origin are most likely to be found in the South West of England and Wales.

The earliest known recordings of the surname date back to 1166 in the Middle Ages in Yorkshire and Herefordshire and 1273 in Devon. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was as Gunel Vautry (from the patronymic) in the records of Derbyshire from 1275-1286.

From the beginning, the surname has been variably spelled, likely due to people not being formally educated in spelling and writing. Early records demonstrate that variants of the surname have spanned centuries, and they are still found in modern times.

The Gunnells surname can also be seen in Germany, incurred by people from England, Scotland and Wales who settled in the North West of the country. This may be due to significant migration from the British Isles in the 17th and 18th centuries. In turn, some members of this family may have emigrated to other countries such as the United States and Canada.

In all, the surname Gunnells is not overly common but has a long history of various spellings and variants. It is believed to be of either English, Scottish or Welsh origin. The primary spelling is Gunnells, and variants span across centuries, with some being found even today.

Famous people with the name Gunnells

• Matt Gunnells: former basketball coach at Whittier College.
• Ben Gunnells: former Quarterback at the University of North Carolina.
• Avery Gunnells: a professional snowboarder who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
• Darryl Gunnells: professional chef and restaurateur.
• Ryan Gunnells: professional golfer and winner of multiple PGA Tour tournaments.
• Daniel Gunnells: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author.
• Brad Gunnells: Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Paul Gunnells: CEO of an investment bank.
• Raymond Gunnells: senior vice president at a financial services firm.
• Gary Gunnells: former President of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Other surnames

GunnellGunnels