Surname Cartmel - Meaning and Origin
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Cartmel: What does the surname Cartmel mean?
The surname Cartmel is of English origin and is believed to refer to a geographical location. It is derived from a place called Cartmel in the county of Cumbria in North West England. The name Cartmel comes from the Old Norse words "Karl" meaning "old man" or "freeman" and "melr" meaning "sandbank" or "sand dune". Hence, it can be loosely translated as "a sandbank or sand dune where freemen or old men live". This cements its status as a topographic surname, based on features of the landscape or a geographical location where the original bearer resided or held land. This makes it likely that various branches of the Cartmel family acquired their surname independently, owing to living near different sandbanks. During the Middle Ages, people were often identified by their connection to certain geographical features and hence surnames like Cartmel came into existence.
Order DNA origin analysisCartmel: Where does the name Cartmel come from?
The surname Cartmel is of English origin, deriving from the village of Cartmel in Cumbria, England. The name of the town itself is likely of Old Norse origin, meaning "sandbank where carts are driven." The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century.
As the surname originated in Britain, it is most common there even today, specifically in the northwestern region of England where the village of Cartmel is located. The last name is also found among descendants of British immigrants in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, but it's much less common there.
It is important to note that the frequency of the surname Cartmel can vary greatly; it is less widespread compared to other British surnames due to population size and migration patterns. As surnames were often adopted based on a person’s occupation, location, or father's name, the population of individuals with the last name Cartmel would likely be concentrated in and around the original geographical location. The surname Cartmel, like any other, tells a story of one’s ancestry, hinting at a connection to the historical village in Cumbria.
Variations of the surname Cartmel
The surname Cartmel has its origin in England, more specifically from the village of Cartmel in Cumbria. Variations of the surname could include Cartmell, Cartmail, and Cartmelle, which exhibit different phonetic interpretations over time and regions. Other variations might include Kertmel, Karmel, and Carmel, which represent plausible older or alternative representations of the name.
Further, there could be transliteration to other language scripts, representing non-English variations. For example, in French, it could be transliterated as "Cartmelle" or "Cartmaille". In German, it could be "Kartmel" and in Spanish "Cartmelo" or "Cartmela".
However, it’s important to note the surname Cartmel and its variants are relatively uncommon, and the actual existence or usage of some potential variants suggested may not be well-documented. Also, any addition or change of letters in the surname can broadly bring about newer variants.
Famous people with the name Cartmel
Not many famous people are associated with the last name Cartmel; however, the most recognized among them is probably Andrew Cartmel. A renowned author, he is also known for being a former script editor on the television series "Doctor Who." His impactful work on the famous show is particularly respected amongst 'Whovians', fans of "Doctor Who." Cartmel has also written for other television series and has authored several comic books. Furthermore, he has created several noteworthy noir novels that have a substantial fan following. The "Vinyl Detective" series is his most prominent work and is loved by readers around the globe.