Surname Boswell - Meaning and Origin

A Voyage Back In Time: The Boswell Legacy Unearthed With iGENEA's DNA Analysis

Embark on a journey of discovery as I navigate my family history using iGENEA's DNA analysis. Uncover the history of the Boswell name and its roots, as the genealogy service paints a vivid story encoded in the helices of my DNA. Join me in the fascinating exploration of my ancestry, linking me to bygone eras and diverse cultures.

L. Boswell

Boswell: What does the surname Boswell mean?

The last name Boswell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name "Bosi" combined with the Old English term "welle" which means a well or spring. It essentially means 'Bosi's well or spring'. This surname was usually assigned to a person who lived near or worked around a well or spring, indicating geographical orientation. Like many surnames, Boswell was designed to help distinguish people who lived or worked in close proximity and had the same personal names. The surname is considered to come from the Lincolnshire area in England and became quite popular in Scotland from the 12th century onward. The Boswell name is historically significant due to individuals like James Boswell, an 18th-century writer best known for his biography of his friend and older contemporary, English writer Samuel Johnson.

Boswell: Where does the name Boswell come from?

The surname Boswell is of Scottish origin, originally derived from the place name "Bosville" in Yorkshire, England, from the Old Norse personal name "Bosi" and "velle" meaning dwelling or settlement. The name was established in Scotland since the 12th century through Robert de Boseuille. The family was granted territories in Berwickshire and later held a family seat in Ayrshire.

As an ancient Scottish clan, the Boswell family played a significant role in the nation’s history. One of its prominent members was James Boswell, the 18th-century biographer of Samuel Johnson.

Today, the Boswell surname is common in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In particular, it is especially prevalent in the United States, where it can be frequently found throughout the country, but particularly in the states of Texas, California, and Oklahoma. The name has spread from its origin in Scotland due to emigration and the diaspora, and it is sustained and remembered through family history and traditions.

Variations of the surname Boswell

The surname Boswell is believed to come from the region of Bosville in Normandy, France, and was brought to England by the Normans during their conquest in the 11th Century. It therefore shares the same origin with the surname Bosville.

Over time, various spellings of the name have appeared in records due to differences in regional dialects and phonetic spellings. These include Bosvile, Bossvile, Bosveyl, Boseville, Bossewell, Bosswell, Bosswill, Bosswell, and Boissevill among others. The spelling Bosvill can also be found in Scottish records.

The now extinct name Boseville is another variation. Other related surnames are Boiswell, and Boswall, with latter seen more commonly in Scotland. Boswells can be found as a variant in written records as well.

It should be noted that the Boswell surname also has separate origins in Scotland and Ireland, where it may have been a variation of an indigenous name. This may lead to additional variants unique to these locations.

Additionally, phonetic similarities can lead to the Boswell surname being mistaken or altered to Bossell, Bozwell, Bosell or Bostwell.

Famous people with the name Boswell

• James Boswell: An 18th-century Scottish lawyer, diarist, and author known for his biography of Samuel Johnson.
• Patachou Boswell: An internationally renowned French singer and actress.
• Connee Boswell: An American singer and a member of the Boswell Sisters, a successful 1930s singing group.
• Thomas Boswell: An American sports columnist for the Washington Post.
• Simon Boswell: A British film score composer known for his work in Italian horror films.
• John Boswell: An American historian and professor at Yale University known for his work in the history of sexuality and the history of the medieval world.
• Lillie Boswell: A British Romani author who wrote a series of autobiographical books about her life and heritage.
• Peter Boswell: A museum curator and director renowned for his contribution to contemporary art.
• Alexander Boswell: A Scottish judge and songwriter.
• Boswell Wilkie: A famous South African circus owner.
• Timothy Boswell: Baron Boswell of Aynho, a British Conservative Party politician.
• Stanley Boswell: A former professional English cricketer.
• Helen Boswell: An author known for her 'Mythology' series.
• Betty Boswell: A New Zealand cricketer.
• Tom Boswell: An American speculative fiction author.
• David Boswell: A Canadian cartoonist creator of comic book series ‘Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman’.

Other surnames

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