Show ContentsTotle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Totle

What does the name Totle mean?

The Totle surname comes from the Old Norse personal name "þorkell," made up of the elements "þórr," or "Thor," name of the Scandinavian god of thunder and "ketill," meaning "a cauldron."

In northern England, the name came directly via Scandinavian settlers, whereas in the South this name arrived with the Normans. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old English expression "tot-hyll" as in "dweller by the look-out hill." 1

"Many spots are so called in all parts of England. A hill with a good outlook against an enemy's approach." 2

Early Origins of the Totle family

The surname Totle was first found in either Toot Hill, Essex; or Tothill, Lincolnshire and Middlesex; or at Tootle Height, Lancashire. The earliest record of the name was Giolber de Totehille, who was listed as a Knight Templar in 1185. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Custance Totel in Cambridgeshire, 1273; and Roger Tothull in Oxfordshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls list: Johannes de Totehill; Willelmus de Totehill; Johannes de Tutill; Agnes filius Thome de Totehil; and John de Totehill. 2

Early History of the Totle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Totle research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1587, 1649, 1693 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Totle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Totle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Turtle, Tuttle, Tuttall, Tuttell, Tuthill, Tottle, Tottehull, Tootell, Tuthall, Tothill, Toothill, Toutehill and many more.

Early Notables of the Totle family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Totle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Totle family to Ireland

Some of the Totle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Totle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Totle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Totle, (Tottle), aged 18, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 3
Totle Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Pal Totle, aged 17, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Cincinnati" in 1909 4
  • Johannis Totle, aged 20, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Macedonia" in 1912 4
  • George Totle, aged 41, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Media" in 1949 4

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Totle, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 5


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  4. Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  5. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook