| ![Show Contents]() Avril History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Avril is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Avril family lived the Old French word Avril, meaning April. The name would have initially been given to a child born in the month of April. Early Origins of the Avril familyThe surname Avril was first found in Gloucestershire where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. They were conjecturally descended from a Norman noble, Avril, who landed with William the Conqueror. Early History of the Avril familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Avril research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1559, 1601, 1614, 1618, 1619, 1666, 1754, 1755, 1771 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Avril History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Avril Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Avril were recorded, including Averell, Averall, Avrill, Avril, Averel, Abrill and many more. Early Notables of the Avril familyAnother 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Avril Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Avril RankingIn France, the name Avril is the 809th most popular surname with an estimated 6,246 people with that name. 1  Migration of the Avril family to Ireland
Some of the Avril family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Avril migration to the United States | + |
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Avril arrived in North America very early:
Avril Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Avril, who settled in New Orleans, La. in 1820
- John Avril, who settled in Mississippi in 1820
- John Avril, aged 44, who settled in Mississippi in 1820
- John Avril, aged 44, settled in New Orleans in 1820
| Contemporary Notables of the name Avril (post 1700) | + |
- Arthur Avril, American Engineer and Executive President, California
- Jean-Jacques Avril, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 2
- Prosper Avril (b. 1937), former president of Haiti
- Philippe Avril (1654-1698), French explorer
- Jane Avril, French dancer who was made famous by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in his paintings
- Jacky Avril (b. 1964), French Olympic slalom canoe athlete
- Édouard-Henri Avril (1843-1928), French painter
- Mrs. Wendy Avril Pressdee B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Welsh Netball
- Avril Ramona Lavigne (b. 1984), Canadian Juno Award-winning singer, songwriter, model, and occasional actress; she has sold more than 40 million albums and over 50 million singles worldwide
- Avril Danica Haines (b. 1969), American lawyer and government official, 7th Director of National Intelligence (2021-)
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Avril migration to the United States 
England
France
Ireland
