Surname Gornall - Meaning and Origin

Gornall: What does the surname Gornall mean?

The surname Gornall is of Old Norse origin and it's believed to be a locational surname derived from locations in Lancashire, such as Gornal in West Midlands, and Cornwall. The place name Gornal originates from the Old English "gor" meaning muddy, and "halh" meaning corner of land, hence it translates to "muddy corner of land". It was common back then to adopt the name of the place as the surname which aids in identifying the individuals’ origin or residence. Today, bearers of the Gornall surname are primarily found in the United Kingdom and Canada. However, it's important to note that the exact meaning or origin of a surname can vary due to factors such as migration, translation, and changes in language over time.

Gornall: Where does the name Gornall come from?

The surname Gornall is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is geographical, denoting someone who lived near a small piece of land or a 'gore'. The name is derived from the Old English word 'gara', which means a triangular piece of land.

The name first appeared on record in the 13th century in the Lancashire region of North West England. Several variations of the name can be found, such as Gorner, Gornell, Gornhill, and Gornal.

Today, the surname Gornall is relatively rare and is not commonly found outside of the UK. Within the UK, it is still most often found in the Lancashire region, as well as in neighboring regions of North West England. It may be found in smaller numbers across the UK and in former British colonies. However, as with many surnames, modern globalization and migration patterns mean that bearers of the surname Gornall can be found in various locations worldwide.

Variations of the surname Gornall

The surname Gornall is of English origin and has several other spellings and variants. They include Gornell, Gornal, Gournall, Gournal, Gornhole, and Gornhall.

This surname was primarily influenced by geographical features and derived from a place called Gornal in Staffordshire, England. The variations in the spelling of the surname could have occurred due to a translation error over the generations, as well as phonetic spellings as new dialects and languages interacted with the original.

These different variants do not necessarily mean that the families are related, as the original families taking on these names would have done so based on their residence or occupation.

The surname Gornall and its variants can also be found in old documents with spelling depending on the phonetic transcription made by the scribe, leading to a multitude of forms of the same original surname.

The derivatives of the surname can be found in other countries, still maintaining the recognizable part of the root name, but adapted to the phonetics of each language, for example, Gurnall in Scotland, Gurnhill in Wales, or Gornelle in France.

Famous people with the name Gornall

• Alex Gornall: A British professional cyclist riding for the JLT-Condor team.
• Jon Gornall: A British author, known for his books "How to Build A Boat" and "The Boatman".
• Lisa Gornall: An International spiritual medium, healer, mindfulness coach, and White Witch.
• Amy Gornall: A British female cyclist.
• George Gornall: An English professional footballer who played as a central defender for the clubs including York City, Hartlepool United, and Gateshead between 1968 and 1979.
• John Francis Gornall: A military personnel known for his service during World War I and II.
• Rona Gornall: She is British Women's Hockey Player who played for the England team.
• Harry Gornall: Former athlete who competed in the British national swimming tournament.
• Stephen Gornall: Award-winning architect and managing director at Architype UK.
• Jordan Gornall: An American basketball athlete currently playing for Dakota Wesleyan University. While all these individuals have achieved recognition in their respective fields, the name Gornall in itself does not seem to be linked with high-profile celebrities or globally recognized figures.

Other surnames

Görnandt

Comments or additions to the name "Gornall"

29.02.2024
Gornall also found in South Africa.The original one here was stationed during WW11 with the RAF.Came back to SA after WW11 ,married and had 5 sons so the name has spread here.