Show ContentsGobell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gobell

What does the name Gobell mean?

The Gobell family originated in Bavaria, Germany. As hereditary surnames were adopted in that area beginning in the 12th century, people were often identified by the kind of work they did. Gobell is an occupational name for a maker or dealer of "goblets" or "tankards." Further research revealed that the name is derived from the German noun "gobel," which means "drinking vessel."

Early Origins of the Gobell family

The surname Gobell was first found in Bavaria, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to its emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Gobell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gobell research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1732 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Gobell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gobell Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Gobell include Gobel, Gobell, Goebel, Goebell, Gobeler, Goebeler and many more.

Early Notables of the Gobell family

More information is included under the topic Early Gobell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gobell migration to the United States +

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Gobell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Gobell, who landed in Virginia in 1714 1
  • Heinrich Gobell, who settled in Philadelphia in 1732
  • Henrich Gobell, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 1


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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