6,081 Global ELWELL Family Members

ELWELL Family History

There are two places called Elwell in England, one in Dorset, the other in Devon. Both it would seem have provided origination for this surname, although more usually from Devon. The name according to the late Mr Eilert Ekwall, the well known authority on British place names, means 'the wishing well' from the elements 'hael' (omen) and 'waella' - a spring. Certainly from the beginning of history 'wells' have been endowed with magical powers, so there does not seem to be any reason why this surname should not continue the tradition.