Surname Attwell - Meaning and Origin
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Attwell: What does the surname Attwell mean?
The surname Attwell is of English origin and is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century "aet thaem welle" meaning "at the well". It is a locational surname which was given to people who lived near a well, spring, or stream. The name might also refer to one who worked or dwelled at or near a well. Such surnames were usually derived from easily identifiable landmarks, like towns, villages, or particular geographic features. The surname's first recorded instance was in 1279 with a person named Walter Attewell in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. As with many old English surnames, there are different spellings of the name, including Atwell, Attwell, and Attwill among others. The name not only has a long history in England, but has also spread to other English-speaking nations with the wave of British emigration, particularly during the colonial era. Hence, it is common in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisAttwell: Where does the name Attwell come from?
The surname Attwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is derived from a place or geographic feature, common in the naming practices of the time. The name essentially means 'at the well', indicating that the bearer or ancestor once lived near a well or water source. This signifies the geographical indications of the British Isles where wells and springs were highly valued resources.
It's important to note that variations of the name include Atwell, Attewell, and others, suggesting the way it morphed over time with language shifts and regional dialects.
Today, it's found in several English-speaking countries, most commonly in England, followed by the United States and Australia. Still, the highest relative frequency is in Guernsey, a British Crown dependency. It isn't considered a particularly common surname – you won't find it in the top 500 surnames in any of these countries. This doesn't diminish its historical significance, and those bearing the Attwell surname continue to contribute to their communities around the world.
Variations of the surname Attwell
The surname Attwell has its roots in the English culture and there are various ways that it could have been spelt in the past due to differences in regional dialects and languages. These include Atwell, Attewell, Atwill, Atewill, and Attwill, among others. The 'At' prefix means 'at the' and 'Well' often refers to a spring or a well, describing someone who lived near such a place.
Surname variants or derivatives may include Addle, Addell, Athill or Atywell. Well-related surnames like Wellman, Welling, or Wells could possibly share some origins, depending on their geographical origins.
In addition to its English roots, the surname may carry associations with Anglo-Saxon heritage, meaning the name could have carried over into other Germanic languages or cultures. However, in most cases, these other forms of the Attwell surname are likely to be coincidental with their similarity, rather than having direct lineage. Nonetheless, each surname has a unique history and the variants and origins of said surname can depend greatly on one's ancestors and the historical and geographic circumstances of their lives.
Famous people with the name Attwell
- Mabel Lucie Attwell: She was a British illustrator known for her cute, sentimental drawings of children. Her illustrations were part of popular children's stories such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.
- George Attwell: He was an English professional footballer who played as a forward.
- George Worsley Attwell: He was a British screenwriter and was renowned in the film industry.
- Harrold Attwell: He was also a professional footballer from England, played as a goalkeeper.
- Lucy Attwell: She is an English Sprint Canoeist who competed in the 1990s. She won a bronze medal in the K-4 500m event at the 1997 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.