This surname is derived from a geographical locality. An inhabitant of Le Mans, the capital of Maine, a native of Maine—so says Lower. I suggested in English Surnames that it might be an abbreviation of Manciple, which see. Probably Lower is right.

Thomas le Mansell, Buckinghamshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Sampson le Maunse), Bedfordshire, ibid.

John le Maunsel, 1313. Writs of Parliament.

Robert le Mansel. Placitorum in domo capitulari Westmonasteriensi.

Johannes Mauncell, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Alicia Maunsell, 1379: ibid.

(a) Bapt. 'the son of Mansel,' possibly a form of Marcel.

Frater Maunsel, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Maunsel (without surname), Huntingdonshire, ibid.

Thomas Maunsel, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Hence the diminutive Mancel-ot or Maunsel-ot.

Henricus Maunselot, rector of Gateshead, 1322: Brand's History Newcastle.

Hugh Mancelot, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

OF. Mancel (le manceau, inhabitant of Maine or le Mans). This name first appears in connection with the Abbey of Kelso and shortly afterwards with the Abbey of Arbroath. About 1180 Andrew Maunsel or Mansel witnessed a charter of the church of Pencathlan to Kelso (Kelso, 369). Willelmus Manselmus witnessed William de Moreuille's charter of Gillemoristun to Edulfus filius Uctredi before 1196 (REG., p. 40). Between 1198 and 1222 we find Andrew Maunsel witnessing charters by William de Veteri Ponte and Bernard de Haudene in favor of Kelso Abbey and also witnessing the charter of the church of Brennath (Birnie in Moray) to the same abbey (Kelso, 139,213, 371). About 1200 he granted liberty to the Abbey of Kelso to build a weir upon part of his ground "in le halech ex orientali parte ville de Roxbergh" (ibid., 507). (This is the dam-head or cauld popularly believed to have been constructed by Michael Scot, through the agency of an infernal spirit. See Scott, Lay of the last minstrel, II, 13). Andrew Maunsel was vicar of St. James's Church at Roxburgh in 1226 (Morton, p. 110). Robert Mansel or Maunsel between 1200-11 witnessed charters by Philip de Malevill, Vmfridus de Berkeley, Douenald Abbe de Brechin and others in favor of the Abbey of Arbroath (RAA., I, 74, 74 bis, 89, 93, 94). Agnes called Maunsell held a burgage in Roxburgh in 1338 (Dryburgh, 315.)

"The Mansels inhabited Le Mans in France, and came over with William the Conqueror." Taylor's Roman de Rou. Talbot's English Etym. But see Mansell and Maunsell.

1. The same as Maunsell. Mancel is without prefix in H.R. 2. Two parishes in Herefordshire bear this name.

Mansell is the name of two Herefordshire parishes. Edmund Mansell was a member of the Common Council of Shrewsbury in the reign of Charles II. (O.), and the name is still common in the town. Mansel or Maunsel was a much more common surname in the 13th century than it is at present. It was then established in Shropshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Wilts, Bucks, Hunts, Cambridgeshire, etc. (H. R.).