Surname Gall - Meaning and Origin

Redefining the Gall lineage: My journey with iGENEA DNA test

In the aftermath of receiving my iGENEA DNA test results, my understanding of the family name 'Gall' underwent a significant transformation. The results introduced me to a broader ancestry than originally perceived, revealing strong links to Central Europe, the Celtic tribes, and even ties with the Vikings. This newfound awareness not only amplified my knowledge of the Gall lineage but also reshaped our collective family identity, sparking interest in my diverse heritage.

L. Gall

Gall: What does the surname Gall mean?

The surname Gall has multiple origins and meanings. Predominantly, it is found in Irish, English, and German cultures.

In the Irish context, Gall was used to describe foreigners, especially those from Scotland. It derives from the Gaelic word ‘gall’ meaning ‘stranger or foreigner’. In later centuries, it was also adopted by a native Irish family whose original name was O'Gallchobhair, originally from Donegal in Northern Ireland.

In German, Gall is both a first and a last name. It originated as a nickname for a cheerful or high-spirited person, from the Middle High German word "gal", which means "jovial" or "in high spirits."

In English, it can also refer to a person living by or working with a gall, a deep ancient pool or spring, deriving from the Old English pre-7th-century word "gell".

Moreover, the surname also occurs in France and Switzerland. In these cases, it is a topographic name for someone who lived by a rocky outcrop or cave, from the Gaulish word "gallia" meaning "rock" or "stone wall".

The most famous bearer of the name is Saint Gall, an Irish monk and the patron saint of Switzerland.

Gall: Where does the name Gall come from?

The surname Gall has multiple origin points and holds significance in several cultures. It is prevalent primarily in Britain, Ireland, and Germany today.

One of the origins is Scots-Gaelic, where "gall" originally denoted a stranger or foreigner, particularly from the Lowlands. Therefore, this name was given to individuals who may have been of Norse origin or non-Gaelic speakers from England.

Another origin is Irish, where the name is a reduced Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Ó Gealbháin" (descendant of the bright white one), or "gall" denoting a stranger.

In Germany, it is derived from a personal name which is a short form of Gallus. "Gallus" means rooster in Latin, but it was largely used due to Saint Gallus, a saint of the 7th century.

In Jewish (Ashkenazic) culture, "Gall" is a reduced form of the personal name "Galle", an affectionate form of "Gallus".

In any case, the name Gall continues to be prevalent in regions that originally formulated these names, mainly Britain, Ireland, and Germany, and has also spread worldwide through migration.

Variations of the surname Gall

The surname Gall has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin across different cultures and parts of the world. Some variations of the surname include Galle, Gaul, Galli, Gallo, and Galls.

The origin of these surnames can trace back to different languages like German, French, Italian, and even Latin, often depicting someone from Gaul (the ancient name for France and parts of Belgium, Western Germany, and Northern Italy). The name Gallus in Latin can mean "rooster", therefore Galli/Gallo might have initiated as a nickname for a "cocky" person.

There are also surnames which could be related to Gall through meaning. Names such as Hahn, Coq, and Cock, which all mean "rooster" in German, French, and English respectively, could have similar origins.

As with many surnames, there can be regional and local variations such as Gallen, Gaule, Gaulle, Galliott, and Galliard. It's also not uncommon for the same name to have different spellings based on factors like translation and phonetics, hence Gahl, Gaal, Gaill, Gaell, and Gaulle might also be derivatives.

Surname distribution data suggests the Gall name is most prevalent in Germany, but notably common in Australia and the United States too.

Famous people with the name Gall

• France Gall: A famous French pop singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965.
• Pierre Gall: A well-known French architect and designer.
• Jean Baptiste Gall: A prominent 19th-century French physician and phrenologist.
• Justine Gall: A contemporary French artist known for her multimedia works.
• Bruno Gall: An internationally recognized German natural scientist and author.
• John Gall: An American author widely known for his book "Systemantics: How Systems Work and Especially How They Fail".
• Zahaan Khan Gall: An Indian film and television actor.
• Matthias Gall: A popular German pianist and composer.
• Kristen Gall: An American professional volleyball player.
• Oliver Gall: A retired German footballer who played as a midfielder.
• Willy Gall: A well-known Austrian football player.
• Jerry Gall: A Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Jake Gall: An American professional baseball player.
• Fiona Gall: A British actress remembered for her appearance in the hit TV series "Doctors".

Other surnames

GalaboffGalabovGalabovaGalacowskiGalagharGalagherGalanczoskiGalanderGalanowskiGalardiGalarzaGalbraithGalderGaldieGaleGaleaGaleanoGaleaspeGaleczowskiGalenGalenczoskiGalenczowskiGalenzoski