Rossall Family History

From Rossall in Poulton Le Fylde (Lancs), which is recorded as Rushale in 1086, Rossall in 1212, and Russal in 1290. The name was easily confused with Russell. For example, Richard Rossall in 1592 is probably identical with Richard Russell in 1596, both found in IGI (Poulton Le Fylde, Lancs).

The etymology of the place-name is uncertain but may derive from Old Scandinavian hross meaning ‘horse’ and hali meaning ‘tail’, in the sense of ‘narrow strip of land’. Alternatively, it may come from a British word related to Welsh rhos meaning ‘moor, heath, plain’ combined with Old English halh meaning ‘nook, corner of land’.

The land is low-lying and level, forming a headland between the Wyre and the sea. Perhaps there is a connection to Rossall (Shrops), which is recorded as Roshala in 1170 and Rushall alias Russall in 1580. It probably derives from Old English *hros meaning ‘horse’ and halh.

It is not clear whether this surname survived into modern times, though it may have done so as Rushall or Russell, which is a variant of Rossell.