Rushall Family History

Perhaps from any of several places called Rushall (Norfolk, Staffs, Wilts), especially the one in Staffs, or possibly sometimes from Rusthall in Speldhurst (Kent). Rushall in Staffs, which is recorded as Rischale in 1086, Rushale in 1195, and Russehall in 1242, derives from Old English *rysc ‘rush, rushes’ + halh ‘nook, corner of land’. Rushall in Norfolk, which is recorded as Riuishale in 1175, derives from an uncertain first element + Old English halh.

Rushall in Wilts is recorded as Rusteshala in 1160, Rusteshell in 1285, Rosshall in 1416, Russhale in 1430, and Russall in 1535. It derives from an Old English personal name *Rust (genitive *Rustes) + halh. Rusthall in Speldhurst (Kent), which is recorded in a surname as (de) Rustuwelle in about 1180, probably derives from Old English rust ‘rust, rust colour’ + wella ‘well, spring, stream’ but with a change in the final element due to influence from Middle English.

Old English hall ‘hall, residence’ perhaps referring to a nearby building. See Rustell. See Russell, which was probably confused with the name in (1). Compare William Rushall 1598 in PROB 11 (Tewkesbury, Gloucs) with John Russel 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Tewkesbury, Gloucs) and Elnor Russell 1576 in IGI (Tewkesbury, Gloucs); Elyzabeth Rushall 1612 in IGI (Mickleton, Gloucs) with Nicholas and William Russel 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Mickleton, Gloucs);

and Thomas Russell 1662 in IGI (Childs Wickham, Gloucs) with Johannes Russhel 1381 in Poll Tax (Childswickham, Gloucs). See Rossall.