Family Name History

History of the Mackriell  Name

The English surname Mackriell is of nickname origin, referring to a personal characteristic of the initial bearer.The use of the nickname in the middle ages in Britain was not necessarily meant to convey a derogatory or hurtful connotation but rather an expression of endearment or affection merely to distinguish between two individuals who might have the same first name.  In this instance the reference is one who lived on the part of the Yorkshire Coast from which the mackerel were caught in large numbers.The earlier instances quoted below are from Lincolnshire Coast although by 1273 one had reached Cambridge.Among the variant forms of the name are included Macrill,Mackerill,Mackrille and Macrell.

            The fashion of adding surnames began in Britain in the 13^th century when the population was becoming more complex and it was necessary to be able to distinguish reliably between individuals for a number of reasons including commercial dealings and land transactions, and a variety of methods evolved including this the nickname, thus affording the bearer a suitable means of identity in his local community.

             Among the early written references to the name or variant we read of Hugh Makarel,Walter Makarell,and William Makarel all from the county of Lincolnshire in the year of 1273.The hundred rolls of 1273 also listed the name of Richard Makarel from Cambridge and another Richard Mackerell is recorded on the patent rolls during the reign of Edward IV later records indicate that on December 3^rd 1796,one Charlotte Mackriell was married to William Martin in Gloucester.The christening of Edward Henry Mackriell,son of John and Rhoda Mackriell took place on June 4th 1854 in Croydon Surrey.