This unusual and interesting surname is of medieval English origin, and derives from either of two Anglo-Scandinavian male given names: Ingald or Ingulf. The former derives ultimately from the Old Norse "Ingialdr", having as its initial element the divine name "Ing", borne by a minor Norse god associated with fertility, and meaning "swelling, protuberance", with "gialdr", tribute; hence, "Ing's tribute". The latter comes from the Old Norse "Ingolfr" or the Old Danish "Ingulf", and translates as "Ing's wolf", from "Ing" (as above) and "ulfr", wolf. Both Anglo-Scandinavian names appear (without surname) in the Domesday Book of 1086, and Edmund Ingold noted in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Suffolk is the earliest recorded bearer of the surname. Further variations including "Ingel, Ingal" and "Hyngoll" are listed in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire and Suffolk in 1273, 1279, and 1524 respectively. The forms Eynell, Ennell, Innal(l), Innolls, Innalls and Ennal(l)s, which appear in English Church Registers from the mid 16th century on, show the loss of the internal "g" and, where applicable, the addition of a patronymic "s". On May 18th 1648 Elizabeth Innolls, an infant, was christened in Hasketon, Suffolk, and on November 2nd 1695, the marriage of Thomas Ennalls to Susanna Crusen took place at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London. Sarah Ennals and William Sewel were married in Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk, in 1744. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margaret Eynell, which was dated June 22nd 1560, marriage to Peeter Heward, Coffinswell, Devonshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024