This surname can be either Medieval English or Hebrew, the English form being introduced by the Crusaders in the 12th century, although the Jewish form is much later. The name translates as 'the Name of God' a meaning which no doubt contributed to its early popularity in England. Many such names were 'borrowed' by the Crusaders including Michael, Isaac and John, and all became surnames, and all developed variant forms. In this case Samuale is also recorded as Samwell and the patronymic Samuels, and all were recorded before the 14th century.
Examples of early recordings include the singular form as Samuel in the Curia Regis Rolls of Kent in 1198, whilst in 1279 William Samwel is a land owner in the Hundred Rolls of Oxford for 1279. Other examples are those of William Samuel (1520 - 1569) described as a divine in the employ of the Duke of Somerset, Edward Samuel, who published Welsh works and held rectories in Denby and Merioneth, and David Samwell, who accompanied Captain Cook as Surgeons first mate. He died in 1799 in London. The Coat of Arms is a red field, on a cross between, in the 1st and 4th quarters, a lion rampant, and in the 2nd and 3rd an eagle displayed silver, a rose of the field. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adolfus Samuel, which was dated 1160, The Danelaw Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as 'The church builder', 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname samuel is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname samuel, and in addition to the original locations of samuel, we can find out where people with the surname samuel can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of samuel.
The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname samuel provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname samuel has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname samuel, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of samuel developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname samuel are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname samuel.
We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about samuel and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname samuel or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of samuel.
Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname samuel were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like samuel can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname samuel, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of samuel are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname samuel, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of samuel.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of samuel, and at the same time, of surnames in general.