Anyone with this surname is banned from Stratford-upon-Avon.

According to MyHeritage, there are only around 44 people with the surname Gastrell and they all have the unique honour of being banned from Stratford-upon-Avon.

This strange public ordinance exists due to the actions of a reverend named Francis Gastrell.  In the 18th century, Rev. Gastrell came into the possession of New Place, former home of William Shakespeare.

The story goes, Gastrell grew increasingly annoyed by fans of the bard coming to visit and gawk at his home. Worse, people would take cuttings from the home's mulberry tree, planted by Shakespeare himself. To put an end to the literary loving thiefs, and in hopes of bringing down the home's value as to pay less taxes, Gastrell cut the tree down and chopped it up into pieces.

In 1759, Gastrell went further. To avoid taxes, he had Shakespeare's home, New Place, torn completely down. For the destruction of a treasured historical landmarked, Gastrell was exiled from the city and he and his descendents banned from ever again taking up residence.

West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal | 4 September 1858