Oakhill Family History

From Oak Hill in Froxfield (Wilts), which is recorded as Hochulle in 1257 and Ockhulle in 133, the place-name may derive from Old English hōc ‘hook’ + hyll ‘hill’ with reference to a projecting hook-shaped hill.

From Ocle Clifford in Newent (Gloucs), which is recorded as Ocle in 1318, Ocley in about 1580, and Ocull in 1587, the place-name apparently derives from Old English āc ‘oak’ + lēah ‘open woodland’.

Perhaps also from Oakhill in Shepton Mallet (Somerset), though documentation earlier than the 19th century is lacking. The place-name may derive from Old English āc ‘oak’ + hyll ‘hill’.

A different explanation may be needed to account for the bearers recorded in Cheshire, Shrops, and Lancs from the 16th century onwards and for the present-day northern distribution of Okell and Okill.