This surname is medieval English in origin. It is locational from any of the various places called Southall or South Hall. These derive from pre 7th century Old English words "suth" meaning south, plus "halh", which may mean a hall or manor, or can describe a place within a valley or hollow. Without knowing the precise circumstances of each place, it is not possible to say with accuracy. It is said that the former village of Southall in Middlesex, now part of Greater London, was first recorded as Sudhalle in the pipe rolls of the year 1212, but other Southall's in the counties of Worcestershire and Shropshire are known to have provided some name holders. The surname is very early being first recorded in the latter part of the 13th century, (see below). Other early examples taken from surviving church registers of the late medieval period include those of Nycholas Sowthall and Jone Fuller who were married at St. Olave's, Old Jewry, in the city of London on February 28th 1539, whilst on April 28th 1595, John Southall married Rachell Harvie at Aylesbeare, in Devonshire. The name is also well recorded in the Birmingham area of Warwickshire, and example being that of John, the son of Thomas Southall, who was christened at St. Martin's church on July 7th 1749. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas de Suthalle. This was dated 1273, in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, during the reign of King Edward 1st of England and known as "The Hammer of The Scots", 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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