Surname Sawkill - Meaning and Origin
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Sawkill: What does the surname Sawkill mean?
The last name Sawkill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the words “saw” and “kil” which have multiple meanings. It is believed to have been used to denote a place that was used for sawing wood or to reap a harvest, which would mean an area of land that was used for such purposes. Alternatively, the word “kil” could also be interpreted to mean “stream” or “channel”, which could then suggest the location of a sawmill, which would make sense given the “saw” component of the name.
The surname is believed to have originated in the south of England, and spread to different parts of the world. In the UK, the name can be found in the counties of Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and Kent. It is also quite common in Ireland, particularly in the region of Munster. Outside of the British Isles, Sawkill is especially popular in the US with immigrants from Ireland, and in Canada with United Empire Loyalists from the US.
The meaning of the name can be interpreted in a few ways and has a lot of potential to be expressed poetically or artistically. For example, an idea for an artwork in which the name is inscribed within a series of streams and pathways that are connected in a circular motion could reflect the stream/channel component of the name along with its potential to be used to denote a place where wood was sawed.
In conclusion, the last name Sawkill has a rich and interesting history often connected to the South of England and Ireland. It has also spread to other parts of the world such as the US and Canada. The meaning and interpretation of the name can be deemed widespread, however it is generally believed to denote a place where wood was routinely sawed or reaped.
Order DNA origin analysisSawkill: Where does the name Sawkill come from?
Sawkill is a surname believed to have originated in the United Kingdom. It is believed to have been first used in Wiltshire and surrounding areas of southern England. Today, Sawkill is becoming increasingly uncommon in Britain as more family lines have aged out over time.
In the United States, however, Sawkill is still a common family name today. It is especially prevalent in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. As of 2019, Sawkill was the 12,581st most common surname in the United States. It is also gradually increasing in popularity, indicating that more families are adopting the name Sawkill over time.
The exact origins of the Sawkill surname remain unclear, but some believe it derives from the Old English words for “sedge,” referring to the tall grasses that grow in marshland, or from “sax cil,” which comes from the ancient Saxon language and originates from the words for “sax” (knife) and “kill” (water), together meaning “swampwater stream.”
However, there are many other theories as to the origin of Sawkill as a surname. Regardless of its origin story, it is clear that Sawkill is still in use today among families in England and the United States. Though Sawkill is slowly becoming more uncommon in the UK, it is steadily gaining popularity in the United States.
Variations of the surname Sawkill
Sawkill is a rare surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from an old English personal name, 'Saewulf', which means 'Sea Wolf'. Variants of the surname include Sawkille, Sawkill, Sawkille, Sawkills, Saewulf, Sarkeill, and Sawkiles.
Sawkille and Sarkeill are considered to be older forms of the surname. Both spellings derive from the early Old English ‘saewulf’. The spelling of the surname changed over time, and in the 14th century, Sawkille and Sawkills were commonly used. Today, Sawkill is the predominant variant among English-speaking bearers of the surname.
In some cases, Sawkill may have been used interchangeably with Sarkeill as a surname. Still, the predominant spelling among bearers of the surname is Sawkill.
Other surnames of the same origin include Saewolf, Sawkils, Sawkile, Sowkele, and Sawkils.
Saunderkill is also a variant of Sawkill, and one which may have originated from the combination of the Old English 'saunder', meaning 'feeable' and 'saewulf'. It is a surname which is also found in the United States.
The surnames Saewulf and Saewolf may have been used interchangeably in the past, and both mean 'sea wolf'. In some cases, these surnames may have also been used interchangeably with Sawkill.
Famous people with the name Sawkill
- Cynthia Sawkill, American painter and arts activist
- John Sawkill, English painter and sculptor
- Josh Sawkill, British composer and songwriter
- Kat Sawkill, Australian fashion designer
- Mike Sawkill, American producer, musician, and songwriter
- Mima Sawkill, American architect
- Richard Sawkill, American editor and visual effects artist
- Sam Sawkill, American cyclist and coach
- Sarah Sawkill, British artist and singer/songwriter
- Scott Sawkill, American auto racer and motorsports commentator