Surname Gaul - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA's DNA test revealed my ancestry's profound connection with the Gaul. The test was technically efficient, accurate, and in-depth. With a less than 0.1% error margin, it decoded my genome, linking me to the Gauls. I discovered that my surname, Gaul, binds me back to the Celtic tribes residing in Europe during the iron-age and Roman times.
Z. Gaul
read moreGaul: What does the surname Gaul mean?
The surname Gaul is of multiple origins. It can be of French and German origin where it is an ethnic name for someone from Gaul (including Belgium and parts of the Netherlands). The name Gaul is derived from Latin "Gallus," used to describe the Celts inhabiting these regions during the late Roman Empire. In this context, it is closely associated with the Celtic heritage.
In the Irish context, the surname Gaul is an anglicization of the Gaelic patronymic name "Mac an Ghoill," meaning "son of the stranger," often given to descendants of British settlers.
Yet another possibility is that Gaul could be a topographic name for someone living near a fork in the road, from the Middle Low German "gul," meaning "fork."
As with many surnames, understanding the exact origin and meaning of the name Gaul often requires tracing the family history to see which interpretation fits.
Order DNA origin analysisGaul: Where does the name Gaul come from?
The surname Gaul has several possible origins. It could be derived from a medieval personal name, Gauld, which is likely a diminutive of the Old French name Gaël, meaning 'stranger'. Alternatively, it may have Celtic roots, originating from the ancient region known as Gaul, which covered areas now part of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany.
The surname could also be of German origin, referring to an old personal name or possibly derived from the Middle High German 'goule,' meaning 'throat' and by extension, 'gullet'. In some cases, it may have been a nickname for a glutton or a person with an unusual voice.
As per distribution, the surname Gaul is common in Germany and the United States today. It is prevalent particularly in areas of Pennsylvania and Ohio in the United States, and in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Instances of the surname are also found in Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe, but with less frequency. However, surname distribution can vary widely and this summary should be viewed as a general guide.
Variations of the surname Gaul
The surname Gaul originated from Germany and is derived from the medieval personal name Walter. This surname is one variation of the German name "Gaulter," and it evolved over time becoming shorter.
Various multicultural spellings and surnames of Gaul have emerged over the centuries. These include Gwalter, Gualter, Gaualterus, Galt, Gault, Goel, and Gohel. Other possible variant spellings can be Gall, Goll, and Gull. The patronymic versions of these surnames may include suffixes like -son (e.g., Gaulson) or prefixes like Fitz-, O', Mc-, Mac- and similar ones depending on the region.
The surname Gaul may also share roots with the Gauld and Gould surnames in Scotland. Note that the surname Gaul may be mistaken for names like Gauld, Gould, Gaull, or even Yule due to the phonetic similarities.
In some cases, the surname Gaul could denote a geographical heritage, such as people originally from Gaul (the ancient name for the region of modern-day France and Belgium).
However, the connections between these variations and the original surname Gaul can be complex and influenced by many factors including linguistics, regional dialects, and historical events.
Famous people with the name Gaul
- Mark Gaul: An Australian actor known for his roles in television series such as "Neighbours" and "Blue Heelers."
- Gilbert Gaul: A late nineteenth-century American artist, specializing in the genre of war.
- Gord Gaul: A Canadian Cinematographer known for working in the film and television industry.
- Valerie Gaul: A voice actress best known for her work in the German film and television industry.
- Antoine Pierre Joseph Marie Gaul: Was a Luxembourgian politician who served as the country's Prime Minister from 1953 to 1958.
- Brad Gaul: An endurance athlete who is recognized worldwide for his accomplishments in ultra-distance events.
- Mads Würtz Schmidt: A professional road bicycle racer from Denmark, born with the surname Gaul.
- Marc Gaul: A professional footballer playing for VfB Stuttgart II in the Regionalliga Südwest in Germany. It's important to note that some subsets of "Gaul" exist in certain languages, where the surnames Gauld, Gaull, and Gaulden might be seen. These alternative surnames also hold their notable figures. However, they are not included in this list as they may not be known as "Gaul" in their native languages.