[Surname] Re: Gorell and Munkes
by Jim Young (guest)
10/24/2007, 8:08 AM
Munkes could be German, Danish or Swedish. It seems to me that the name is so uncommon that no-one is interested in collecting data on it. As for the meaning, I think Andy's previous explanation stands.
Gorell is English. Reaney and Wilson give three possible meanings:
i) "a fat-paunched person", from the Old French Gorel, "pig"
ii) patronymic, from the Old English name Garwulf, "spear-wolf"
iii) from a place name such as Gorwell (Essex), or Gorrell (Devon).