SCARGILL
Scargill
Overview: Scargill is a surname of English origin believed to be locational, deriving from a village called 'Scargill' in the county of Yorkshire, England. The name is likely to have been granted to those who hailed from or resided near this village.
Etymology: The etymology of the name 'Scargill' is thought to have Anglo-Saxon roots. The first element, 'scar', could refer to a rough or stony area of land, while the second element 'gill', often found in northern English place names, denotes a ravine or stream. Thus, 'Scargill' could be interpreted as 'rocky ravine' or 'stony stream'.
Historical Significance: The Scargill surname has been documented in English records dating back to the medieval period. Individuals bearing this surname were noted to be landowners, farmers, or labourers mainly in the regions of Yorkshire. The name may also have been associated with the mining industry, especially coal mining, which was a prominent occupation in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
Famous Individuals: One of the most well-known bearers of the Scargill surname is Arthur Scargill (b. 1938), a prominent British trade unionist who served as the president of the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1980s during the UK miners' strike of 1984-85. Arthur Scargill gained recognition for his leadership and activism within the labour movement.
Modern Distribution: In contemporary times, the surname Scargill remains relatively uncommon and is predominantly found in Yorkshire and other parts of northern England. However, due to migration and dispersal, individuals with the Scargill surname may also be found in other regions of the United Kingdom and beyond.
References:
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (Eds.). (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
In conclusion, the Scargill surname has a notable history rooted in Yorkshire and carries significance related to the local landscape and historical occupations, particularly in mining and agriculture.
There are approximately 946 people named Scargill in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,684th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Scargill.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Gareth
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Rupert
Female
- Amy
- Helen
- Jane
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Rebecca
- Susan
- Victoria