Surname Southwell - Meaning and Origin
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Southwell: What does the surname Southwell mean?
The surname Southwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a geographical locality. It is said to mean "south well or stream", derived from the Old English words "sūð" meaning "south" and "wella" or "well" meaning "a well or spring". The surname is associated with the town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire, England, where it is believed to have originated. The town was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Sudwella". The surname may have been adopted by people who lived near or by a southern well, or by individuals who moved and took the name of their hometown as their surname. As a note, surname meanings can often be somewhat arbitrary since they were usually based on some characteristic of the first person who held that name, so the meaning of the Southwell surname may not necessarily apply to all those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisSouthwell: Where does the name Southwell come from?
The surname Southwell is commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the English counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. It is also found to some extent throughout the rest of the British Isles, including Ireland.
Southwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, as can be seen in its spelling which follows the same convention as other Saxon place names like Middleton and Broxton. The name denotes a person from the settlement of Southwell. It is believed that the area takes its name from the Old English 'wiell' for a spring or stream, and 'sūth', which means south.
The Southwells can trace their families back through generations and they are very proud of their family heritage. In particular, they remember those who served in the two World Wars. The family's preservation of history has seen the Southwell family become a part of the fabric of many of the English counties in which they once lived.
Today, the surname Southwell can be found all around the world. In the United States, Southwells can be found in the states of California, Texas, North Carolina and Maryland. In Australia, they can be found in South Australia and Western Australia. There are also Southwells in Canada and New Zealand.
Southwells should cherish their surname and celebrate this unique family history. By passing down stories and keeping records, they can ensure that the surname thrives and is cherished for years to come.
Variations of the surname Southwell
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Southwell are:
Southall, Southaw, Southawe, Souther, Souter, Southarde, Southart, Southarthe, Southcombe, Southel, Southerne, Southorn, Southron, Southworth, Suttel, Suttell and Suttelle.
Southall is derived from the Old English words sūþ, meaning "south" and healh, meaning "nook, corner, or small enclosure." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who came from a south corner or south-facing area.
Southawe is a variant of Southwell which is derived from the old English words sūþ, meaning "south," and wella, meaning "spring or stream." This is also a locational surname, used to indicate a person who was from the area near a spring or stream in the south region.
Souther is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and þā, meaning "pubic" or "territory." This was typically used to indicate a person who was from the south land or south-facing area.
The surname Souter is derived from the Old English words sūþ and þearra, meaning "servant" or "servant of the lord." This was a occupational surname used to indicate a person who worked as a servant or steward of the lord in the south.
Southard is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and þeard, meaning "growth, shoot, sprout, or plant." This is an example of a descriptive surname and was used to indicate a person who was from an area with plenty of growth or plant life.
Southart is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and þearr, meaning "farmworker." This is an example of an occupational surname and was used to indicate a person who was a farm worker or laborer in the south area.
Southarthe is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and þearþ, meaning "clearing in the woods" or "place of refuge." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who came from an area that was a clearing or place of refuge in the south.
Southcombe is derived from the Old English words sūþ and cumb, meaning "valley" or "dell." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who was from the area near a valley or dell in the south.
Southel is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and helle, meaning "field of water." This is also a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who was from the area near a field of water in the south.
Southerne is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and ærn, meaning "house of worship" or "chapel." This is an example of a locational surname, used to indicate a person who was from the area near a house of worship or chapel in the south.
Southorn is also a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and ærn, meaning "shelter" or "place of safety." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who was from the area near a shelter or place of safety in the south.
Southron is also a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and rūn, meaning "secret" or "hidden." This is an example of a descriptive surname and was used to indicate a person who was from an area that was a secret or hidden in the south.
Southworth is a variant of Southwell and is derived from the Old English words sūþ and worð, meaning "enclosure" or "boundary." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who was from an area that was an enclosure or boundary in the south.
Suttel, Suttell, and Suttelle are all variants of Southwell and are derived from the Old English words sūþ and hyll, meaning "hill." This is an example of a locational surname and was used to indicate a person who was from the area near a hill in the south.
Famous people with the name Southwell
- Robert Southwell (1561–1595): English Jesuit priest, poet, and martyr.
- Thomas Southwell (1567–1627): English Catholic cleric and historian.
- George Southwell (1590–1644): English lawyer during the Elizabethan era and the English Civil War.
- Anne Southwell (1591–1666): English inn-keeper, businesswoman, and agent for Charles I during the English Civil War.
- Robert Southwell (1635–1702): English politician, courtier, and member of the Southwell family.
- John Southwell (1645–1710): English politician who served as Member of Parliament from 1689 through 1690 and from 1702 through 1707.
- Matthew Southwell (1646–1711): English politician who served as MP for Penryn in 1685 and Penryn and Lostwithiel in 1708.
- Sir Edward Fowell Buxton, 4th Baronet, of Southwell (1865–1935): English politician and Member of Parliament for West Norfolk between 1892 and 1895.
- Francis Southwell (1910–1988): English soldier, cricketer, and spymaster who served in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- Leo Southwell (born 1932): English actor best known for his roles in the films The House That Dripped Blood and Hitler: The Last Ten Days.