When the ancestors of the Gravin family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Kent, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages.
Loading...
Early Origins of the Gravin family
The surname Gravin was first found in Kent where they held a family seat. At the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 by Duke William of Normandy the village of Graveney was held by under-tenant Richard the Constable from chief-tenant, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was customary that when the Normans introduced surnames into England the Baron or head of the family gave lands to his sons or other relatives. To distinguished these branches the offspring assumed the name of their holdings, and conjecturally, the surname was derived from Richard of Graveney in Kent, which at Domesday held manor and four salt houses on the edge of marshland.
Loading...
Early History of the Gravin family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gravin research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1207, 1230, 1376, 1524 and 1546 are included under the topic Early Gravin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gravin Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Gravin has been recorded under many different variations, including Graveney, Graveny, Gravenel, Graveneye, Gravener, Gravenor and many more.
Early Notables of the Gravin family
More information is included under the topic Early Gravin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gravin family
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Gravins were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Gravener who was recorded as having arrived in Maryland in 1634; and other settlers who established themselves in the United States and in Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries..
England
