Surname de Cornwaile - Meaning and Origin

de Cornwaile: What does the surname de Cornwaile mean?

The last name 'de Cornwaile' is of Norman French origin and indicates a geographic association with the region of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, known in French as "Cornouailles". The prefix "de" in many Western European languages including French and Portuguese means "from" and often denotes nobility. Therefore, 'de Cornwaile' can be interpreted as 'from Cornwall'. This surname may have been adopted by individuals or families who originally hailed from this area or possessed estates there. It's important to keep in mind powerful families often took their names from the lands they owned, so this surname could signify nobility or land ownership in Cornwall. It's also likely that the name evolved over time, with variations in spelling such as Cornwallis, Cornwall, Cornwell, and others. As part of genealogical research, tracing surnames and their origins can provide informative insights into ancestral locations and societal status.

de Cornwaile: Where does the name de Cornwaile come from?

The surname de Cornwaile is of French origin. It derives from ‘Cornouailles’ in Brittany, France, where one family branch resided, and ‘Cornwall’ in England, a separately developed branch. The prefix "de" denoting 'from' suggests a familial origin from these regions. The surname indicates the family’s historical residential location. The family bearing this name were notable in the middle ages, holding many estates and manor lands, both in France and England.

Today, due to historical migrations and anglicization, variants of this name (such as Cornwall, Cornwell, or de Cornwell) are more commonly used and have spread worldwide. However, they are most frequent in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. In its original form, "de Cornwaile," it is rare and considered archaic.

Variations of the surname de Cornwaile

The surname de Cornwaile originated from the old English kingdom of Cornwall, located in the southernmost part of England. The surname "de Cornwaile" suggests a person originating from Cornwall. This surname has several spellings and variants. Some of these include Cornwall, Cornwal, Cornweil, Cornwyll, Cornewall, Cornwell, Corewall, Cornewell, Cornwill, Cornwale, and so on.

There are many surnames of the same origin, including the following: de Cornouailles, Cornuailles, Cornouaille, de Cornubia, and de Kernev. Some are anglicized versions while others are influenced by different languages such as French or Celtic.

It is also worth mentioning that not all people with these surnames are necessarily related or share a common ancestor. Changes in surname spellings may have occurred due to phonetic spelling by illiterate scribes, translation between languages, and changes in regional dialect over centuries.

Famous people with the name de Cornwaile

• Anne de Cornwaile (1599-1618), namedendowee of Bridewell Royal Hospital, London
• Thomas de Cornwaile (1580–1640), Warden of the Mint
• James de Cornwaile (1576–1655), Speaker of the House of Commons 1621–1623
• Oliver de Cornwaile (1693-1763), Bishop of St. Davids
• Mike de Cornwaile (born 1961), Former Director of the NHS Confederation
• William de Cornwaile (1650–1730), Anglican Rector of St. Marys, Tavistock Parish Church
• Edward de Cornwaile (1578–1654), English politician
• Elizabeth de Cornwaile (1590-1676), Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Henrietta Maria
• Robert de Cornwaile (1569–1642), Member of Parliament for Tavistock
• Philip de Cornwaile (1587-1635), British Member of Parliament for Devon in 1621

Other surnames

de Cornwall