Surname Hempshell - Meaning and Origin
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Hempshell: What does the surname Hempshell mean?
Hempshell is a surname of English origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old English 'hampes', meaning 'a place where persons played' and 'helle', which refers to either a hill or a lake. This suggests that the original bearers of the name likely had some connection with a prominent hill or lake in the area of their residence.
The Hempshell surname is said to have first appeared in the English county of Yorkshire. From here, the name became more widespread and has appeared in various records throughout the centuries.
The 1968 publication 'Dictionary of American Family Names' states that the Hempshell name means 'from the hemp field'. This suggests that those with the Hempshell surname in the past were involved in the hemp industry or lived closeby a hemp farm.
Hempshell is not a particularly common name but records show that it has strong links with the North of England and can be found in Scotland, Wales, and Eastern Europe. The name Hempshell today is found in many different countries and cultures, showing its diverse heritage and ability to traverse great distances.
Order DNA origin analysisHempshell: Where does the name Hempshell come from?
The last name Hempshell is not overly common, however there are small pockets of the name found across England and some other parts of the British Isles. The name is likely of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English given name Hemp(en) and the Old English word scylf, meaning “shelf." This would give the original meaning of "Hempen's Shelf."
The name Hempshell was found in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where it is the most common, as well as East Anglia and the West Midlands, with a few other appearances elsewhere. In the 1891 census, the name had become widespread, mainly in southeastern and central England, where three quarters of the total Hempshell appearances were located. Today, the name is frequently located in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and the West Midlands, with approximate concentrations of people named Hempshell in Wennington, Radcliffe on Trent, and Shrewsbury.
Although not overly common, the last name Hempshell can now be found in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As many countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries experienced large-scale emigration, these locations now likely comprise the largest demographic of people bearing the name Hempshell.
Variations of the surname Hempshell
The surname Hempshell has many variants in its spelling and related surnames, that trace back to the same root. These include such spelling variations as Hempsell, Hempsel, Hempsell, Henpsell, Hempills, Hampsell, Hampshel, Hampshill, Hamsell, Hampshull, Hamshawl and Hempshill.
The most common variation of the surname is the “Hampshill” spelling, which is the most popular granularity of the surname in the United States. The surname Hempshell is believed to have derived from the Old English words hama, meaning home, and scelf, meaning shelf.
The earliest recorded reference to the name can be traced to the 11th century in Lincolnshire, where a “Hempshill” family was documented. In the 12th century, a prominent member of the family, Ralph de Hempshell, was recorded as living in County Durham, UK. The family then spread to the East Anglia region and, in the 1400s, to Scotland.
By the 1600s, the Hempshell family name had established itself as a prominent family in multiple counties. Additionally, the name started to spread outside of the UK, particularly to North America in the early 1800s.
In the United States, other variants of the surname such as Hemphill, Hempsell, Hempsell, Hampshill and Hampshull, all of which stem from the original Hempshell name, are still found in some regions today.
Given the dozens of variations and related surnames, it is possible that a person of the Hempshell family line can have its roots traced back to ancient England.
Famous people with the name Hempshell
- Joshua Hempshell: Actor, known for appearing in The Young and the Restless
- Rebecca Hempshell: Actress, starred in the Netflix family drama series, Alexa & Katie
- Bill Hempshell: British actor who starred in the TV miniseries Chernobyl
- David Hempshell: Award-winning Australian Broadway actor and singer
- Michael Hempshell: Emmy-nominated British film and TV director
- Lenny Hempshell: American comedian and star of the comedy series The Hey Arnold! Show
- Molly Hempshell: Singer and songwriter for the indie-folk band, Navajo
- Dean Hempshell: English television presenter and actor
- James Hempshell: Hollywood screenwriter and producer
- Pamela Hempshell: British stage, film and television actress