Surname Goroll - Meaning and Origin

Goroll: What does the surname Goroll mean?

The last name Goroll is of German origin. It is a habitational name derived from the town of Goroll in Brandenburg, Germany. The town is documented as existing as far back as the mid-13th century. It may have derived from Middle High German ‘gora’ which translates as ‘slope’ or ‘hill’ and ‘lô’ which translates as ‘clearing’; thus signifying a ‘clearing on a hill or slope’.

Goroll is a relatively unusual last name, typically found amongst families in Northern and Central Germany. It is nonetheless widely distributed beyond this region, due to the migratory nature of many German immigrants to other parts of Europe and the Americas.

People who bear the last name Goroll may therefore share a common geographic origin, stemming mainly from Brandenburg in Germany. This is likely to have significant cultural connotations, associated with German-speaking heritage and possible shared family connections for those who can trace their history back to the German town of the same name.

Goroll: Where does the name Goroll come from?

The surname Goroll is most common today in countries with a German and Jewish heritage, such as Germany, Poland, Austria, and the United States.

The Goroll family originated in Germany, where records of the name date back to the thirteenth century. It is believed to be a variation of the name Gorlitz, derived from the city Gorlitz in Germany, located near the Czech and Polish border.

In the 1700s, a branch of the Goroll family immigrated to Poland, where many of the nameholders remained. Evidence suggests that the Goroll surname became Jewish by intermarriage in the 1800s.

In the nineteenth century, a wave of Jews immigrated to the United States, and the Goroll name arrived with them. Today, there is a thriving Jewish community known as Goroll, established in Massachusetts in the 1940s. This is believed to be the largest population of the Goroll family in the US.

The Goroll surname is still common today in Germany, Poland, and the US. It has also spread to other countries in Europe and beyond to countries such as Israel, Canada, and Australia. It’s common among those of German and Jewish heritage, but also among those who have taken on their names.

Variations of the surname Goroll

The surname Goroll is derived from Gorals, a cultural region that comprises parts of Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The region is known for its distinct mountain culture, which is seen in the local dialect, traditional dress, and architecture.

In Poland, the main spelling of the Goroll surname is Gorol, though there are also variants including Goral, Goroll, Gorward, Gorowicz, Gorowiec, and Goronkiewicz. In Slovakia, variants include Gorol, Gorolka, Gorlica, Gorlinka, Gorlan, and Gorlavsky. In the Czech Republic, the main variant is Gorol, with additional options being Gorolcia, Goronka, Goralovic, and Gorlicek.

Surnames associated with the Goroll family include Miskofski, Miskovsky, Miskewicz, Miskolczy, Miskevitz, and Miskevicz. They are all derived from the same cultural region of Goral and share the same strong mountain culture of the region.

The surname Goroll has spread with the family line throughout Europe, with many variations in spelling and other surnames associated with it. It has also spread to other continents, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where it is sometimes Anglicized as Garrel, Groll, Gorel, and Gorial.

Famous people with the name Goroll

• Dr. Allan M. Goroll: Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School
• Neal Goroll: performance artist and jazz musician
• William H. Goroll: US Army Colonel
• Mary L. Goroll: American writer and poet
• Jochen Goroll: former East German figure skater
• Peter Goroll: Canadian Voice actor
• Saar Goroll: Israeli artist
• Edward R. Goroll: American judge
• Andrew Goroll: American experimental psychologist
• Magdi Yacoub Goroll: business executive

Other surnames

Gorol