Surname Feathergill - Meaning and Origin
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Feathergill: What does the surname Feathergill mean?
The last name Feathergill is derived from the Old English language and is believed to be a locational surname, indicating the person whose family originally resided in the region called Feathergill in Cumberland, England. The surname is thought to have originally been Feather-Gill, denoting a sprig of feathers near a small creek, or Gill. The name could also be derived from the Old English word Fole-Wielle, which means “a field of feathers”.
The vanished village of Feathergill was situated according to the 'Feathergill' entries in John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, in the parish of Caldbeck, County Cumberland, and it was situated near to the boundaries with Scotland and Westmorland. The parish of Calder Beck is now in the city of Carlisle where the Feathergill surname may still exist today.
Feathergill, as a surname, can be found recorded in England from as early as the 14th century in the Year 1379 when Alan de Featherghyll was mentioned in the Court Rolls of Calderdale. The name went through some spelling changes after this, usually due to dialectical differences, and was eventually shortened to Feathergill.
Although the exact origins of the Feathergill name are uncertain, the general consensus among most genealogists is that it is a locational name, linked to the ancient village of Feathergill in Cumberland, England during the early 14th century.
Order DNA origin analysisFeathergill: Where does the name Feathergill come from?
The last name Feathergill is most common in the United Kingdom, especially in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. It is also present in parts of the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Massachusetts. In other anglophone countries it is found mainly in Canada and Australia. Worldwide, the Feathergill name is not especially common, with most of the bearers living either in the United Kingdom or North America.
The first place where the Feathergill's name and origins are recorded is in the area now known as Horseforth in Lancashire, England. This was in the late 1400s, as part of a survey into land ownership and settlement. The family were tenants of the lords of the manor and it is not until 1645 that the first mention of a Feathergill is made in the registers of the parish of Gisburn, which is located in the same county.
The people who carry the Feathergill name today are mainly descended from these first settlers in the area, however there is some overlap with other surnames such as Featherstone, Featherston, and Fetherston. It is thought that some of the families might have intermarried or adopted each other's surnames over the years, resulting in a small but still fairly distinct group of Feathergill's in the present day.
Variations of the surname Feathergill
The Feathergill surname is of British origin and has its roots in Karen, East Anglia, England. Variants of the surname include Fethergil, Fethergill, Feathergale, Feddergil, Feddergill, Feddergill, Fedderogill, and Feathergall.
The earliest record of the surname appears in the 14th century. Records of the surname persist until the 17th century in England. The name is of English toponymic origin, from Fethergil in Lancashire, or from both Feddergill and Fedderogill in Cumberland.
In addition to the variants of the Feathergill surname, there are also several other spellings used to refer to someone with this surname. These variants include Fethergil, Fethergill, Feddergil, Feddergill, Fedderogill, and Feathergall.
Finally, there are also some surnames that have a similar origin to Feathergill that may be related. These include Fethersall, Fetherston, Fetherstone, Fedderston, Featherston, Fetherstone, and Fetherstave. These surnames have their origins in the same parts of England as that of Feathergill and are derived from similar toponymic sources.
In all, it is clear that the Feathergill surname has a rich history in Britain and many variants of the name have survived to this day. Although many of the variants may suggest different roots, all of them are ultimately derived from the same toponymic origin.
Famous people with the name Feathergill
- Claire Feathergill: Youtuber, artist and musician from the U.K.
- Jason Feathergill: Volleyball player on the U.S. National team.
- John Feathergill: English football risk and performance analyst.
- Shawn Feathergill: U.S.-based actor, comedian and sketch artist.
- Aaron Feathergill: Professional golfer from U.S., winner of the 2005 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
- Irene Feathergill: Poet, music teacher and visual artist in the U.K.
- Roger Feathergill: Irish musician and entertainer.
- Mike Feathergill: U.S. Navy veteran and author of multiple publications.
- Brian Feathergill: Known figure in the technology industry, specializing in software engineering.
- Freddie Feathergill: Film editor from U.S., recipient of multiple awards for film editing.
- Geoff Feathergill: Award-winning actor, most known for his roles on the stage.
- Thomas Feathergill: Award-winning neurologist from U.K., with multiple publications and researches published.