Surname Gwynnel - Meaning and Origin
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Gwynnel: What does the surname Gwynnel mean?
The last name Gwynnel is believed to be of Welsh origin and is derived from the personal name Gwyn. The first known ancestor of this surname appears to have been Walter Gwynnel, a 13th century Welsh knight.
The surname Gwynnel is most commonly found in England, Wales, and the USA, and is typically spelled as 'Gwynnel' or 'Gwynnal'.
In Wales, the name has sometimes come to represent a place-name rather than a personal or family name. For example, Gwynnel is sometimes used in place of Fourcrosses (a village in Montgomeryshire), where there is a chapel dedicated to Saint Gwynel.
The original root of the Gwynnel name is derived from the Welsh first name Gwyn, which is anglicized as 'White', most likely originates from the description of a person's skin. Other surnames created from the personal name 'Gwyn' are Gwynn, Gwin, Gwyneth, and Gwynplaine.
The name Gwynnel is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's given name. Consequently, it refers to descendants of the original Gwynnel, and gives an idea of where people with this last name had lived prior to their migration.
Today, the name Gwynnel continues to be used around the world, and many descendants of this first mover can trace their lineage back to the village of Fourcrosses.
Order DNA origin analysisGwynnel: Where does the name Gwynnel come from?
The last name Gwynnel is most prominently found in southern Wales in the United Kingdom. The Welsh form of the name, Gwynnel, is thought to derive from the Welsh personal name Gwinnal, which was derived from the Old Welsh elements ‘gwanu’ meaning ‘joy’ and ‘hal’ meaning ‘fortunate’.
The most common distribution of Gwynnel is found in South Wales and other parts of Britain, including Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is also in some of the overseas territories and former countries of the British Empire such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the 21st century, cities such as Cardiff, Swansea, and the Isle of Anglesey possess the highest concentrations of Gwynnel families.
The surname is much less common in other parts of the world, though there are some individuals bearing the name Gwynnel that are located in The United States, primarily as a result of migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. The majority of those found in North America typically have British ancestry.
The Gwynnel surname continues to carry on today, mainly throughout the United Kingdom and its former colonies. It is a testament to the long-held Welsh culture in Britain, and as a scrappy, proud, and determined people, the surname is a reminder of the legacy of courage and resistance that held fast during difficult times.
Variations of the surname Gwynnel
The name Gwynnel is of Welsh origin and is a variant of Gwynn. The name is derived from "gwyn" meaning "white, fair, blessed" in the Welsh language. It can also refer to someone of a white or blond hair colour or lighter skin tone. Alternately, it can be associated with the White Coat of Arms.
The variants of Gwynnel include Gwynnell, Gwynneal, Gwynnal, Gwynnall, Wynnel, Wynnell, Wynnal, Wynnall, Gwynnle, Gwinle, Gwinles, Gwinel, Gwinels, and Gwinnel.
The other surnames derived from Gwynnel include Gwynn, Gwinn, and Gwinnett.
The various spellings of Gwynnel include Gwynnel, Gwynnle, Gwynnell, Gwynneal, Gwinle, Gwinles, Gwinel, Gwinels, Gwynnal, Gwynnall, Wynnel, Wynnell, Wynnal, and Wynnall.
The name Gwynnel is of Welsh origin and may refer to someone with fair hair, a lighter skin tone, or to a coat of arms bearing a white colour. The various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Gwynn, Gwinn, Gwinnett, Gwynnle, Gwynnell, Gwynneal, Gwinle, Gwinles, Gwinel, Gwinels, Gwynnal, Gwynnall, Wynnel, Wynnell, Wynnal, and Wynnall.
Famous people with the name Gwynnel
- Richard Gwynnel: English Civil War figure
- Gwynnel Matthew: Welsh artist
- Luke Gwynnel: British gymnast
- Meghan Gwynnel: American fashion designer
- Simon Gwynnel: English actor
- Tony Gwynnel: Welsh rugby player
- Natasha Gwynnel: British socialite
- Steve Gwynnel: American music producer
- Thora Gwynnel: Norwegian actress
- Bill Gwynnel: American singer