If you’re curious about the author of this site, here’s a little information.
My name is Melody McKay Burton and I live in a village called Meldreth, in South Cambridgeshire, UK.
I’m interested in the names Tickle and Tickell because my father’s name was Richard Carton Tickell. He was born in the Wirral in Merseyside. However, when he was born his surname was not Tickell – it was Tickle. He changed it at university. Perhaps he thought Tickell sounded more grand!
There certainly are some grand Tickells and you can read about them in some of my blog posts. They even have a family crest.
My Tickles were far more humble. Although my grandfather went to university and became the Head of Liverpool Nautical College, his father and grandfather were both blacksmiths.
I am descended from Tickles who lived in Lancashire, one of the ‘heartlands’ of the name. I’m fascinated to know whether all the Lancashire Tickles share a common ancestor in the past. Perhaps DNA can help me to find out?
Many of the Tickles you’ll find on the site have no connection whatsoever with Lancashire or England. They are of German descent and you’ll find quite a lot of information on some branches of the family.