A locational name which derives from one of the villages named Edgehill, (the one in Warwickshire being famous for the first Battle of the Civil War in 1642), or from residence at a house on the edge of a hill. Like most locational names, the name was given to a former inhabitant, when he or she moved to another area. The name Edgehill is Middle English 12th century. Although the derivative is from Ecg-Hyll (Olde English pre 7th century). There is also a possible origin from Olde English 'Ecgwulf' meaning 'Sword-Wolf' a personal name which developed into Eggel in 1278. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Edgell which was dated 1278, The Fines Court of Essex during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307 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.