Surname Hemsall - Meaning and Origin
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Hemsall: What does the surname Hemsall mean?
The last name Hemsall is believed to have originated from the English town of Hemsley in Yorkshire. This town name is derived from the Old English elements “heah” meaning “high” and “leah” meaning “woodland clearing”. Therefore, the surname Hemsall may refer to a person who either lived in or hailed from this high, woody area of Yorkshire.
Over time, the surname may have evolved as those with it sought new lands and opportunities elsewhere. In the 20th century, for instance, many people bearing the Hemsall surname moved away from the English county of Yorkshire, to countries such as Australia, Canada and America.
The crisis of the English Reformation during the 16th century might also have played a role in the evolution of the Hemsall surname. Holding Roman Catholic beliefs and living in the predominantly Protestant county of Yorkshire could have pushed some of those with the surname to move elsewhere to avoid being persecuted for their beliefs.
It is difficult to determine the exact meaning of Hemsall for everyone who carries the surname. However, the name’s etymology and origins from the town of Hemsley in Yorkshire offer some context that can help us make sense of it. For those with the Hemsall name, then, it can represent a tie to a small town in Yorkshire and to the journeys that its descendants have made throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHemsall: Where does the name Hemsall come from?
The last name Hemsall is most common in England and Wales today. It originated from Olde English in the early 1500s as an occupational name for someone who worked at a hemp mill. According to records kept by the General Register Office in England, it is most common in the Greater London area and the West Midlands region.
The West Midlands includes the cities of Dudley, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. It likely gained popularity in this area due to its historical significance as a major center of the wool and cotton industries. It may have been used as an occupational name by some of the wool and cotton manufacturing workers in the region.
In addition to the West Midlands, Hemsall is also quite prevalent in the London area. London is home to many large and diverse communities, and the name might have been adopted by people from a variety of backgrounds. This, coupled with its old English roots, could be the reason for its current popularity in the area.
Overall, the last name Hemsall is most common in England and Wales, particularly in the West Midlands and the London area. Its popularity can be attributed to its historical significance and its many cultural influences.
Variations of the surname Hemsall
The surname Hemsall has multiple variants, spellings, and other surnames that could be of the same origin.
Variants include Hemsworth, Hemster, Hemstalk, Hemette, and Hemstat.
Spellings for the surname include Hemsell, Hemsel, Hemshall, and Hemselll.
Surnames of the same origin include Hemmings, Hemminges, Hemson, and Hemingway.
Other surnames that are sometimes confused with Hemsall are Hemsworth, Hembury, Hempstead, Hembrey, and Helmstarr.
The origin of the Hemsall surname could possibly be derived from pre-7th century Old English words ‘ham’ and ‘halh’, meaning ‘the corner or nook of land’. Another possible origin could be of a location, derived from lands at Hempfield in Lancashire and St Horbans (now Horbury) near Wakefield in Yorkshire in the 12th century.
The Hemsall surname is listed as one of the fifty most common surnames in England. The name is especially common in the Shropshire and nearby West Midlands region.
The name was borne by a number of notable figures throughout English history such as Sir Richard Hemsell, a 16th century English jurist, and Charles Augustus Hemsell, an English engineer in the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Hemsall
- Emma Hemsley: a UK-based cookbook author, food columnist and recipe developer best known for her appearances on BBC Radio 4, appearing regularly on The Kitchen Cabinet and The Food Programme.
- Keith Hemsall: a British former professional footballer who played for Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
- Emma Hemsley-Richardson: a professional International Modern Pentathlete representing Great Britain.
- Kirsty Hemsley: a stunt woman, gym enthusiast and fitness model based in Los Angeles, CA.
- Philip Hemsall: a professional Choreographer, Artistic Director, and performer who has devoted his life to dance and physical theater.
- Hannah Hemsley: an English television presenter based in London, who has appeared on CBBC and the BBC CBeebies strand.
- David Hemsall: a British former professional squash player who won three World Open titles in the 1980s.
- Patrick Hemsall: an English world-class sculptor who creates busts of figures from British Royalty, world leaders, business leaders, and famous people.
- Tabitha Hemsall: a British student, model, and catwalk choreographer who has participated in numerous fashion shows and beauty pageants.
- Luke Hemsall: a popular UK artist known for his graffiti-style murals, leading him to become one of the UK’s top street artists.