Evans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Evans

What does the name Evans mean?

The surname Evans is a patronymic surname created from the Welsh personal name Lefan, or Evan, which is a cognate of the personal name John. 1 2

Early Origins of the Evans family

The surname Evans was first found in Herefordshire.

"Exceedingly numerous in North and South Wales and in the adjacent English counties of Shropshire and Monmouth. Thence it has spread, but in rapidly diminishing numbers to the midland counties and to the south - west of England. It is absent or singularly rare in the northern counties, a line from the Humber to the Mersey sharply defining its northward extension. Not one of the coast counties, from Norfolk round to the borders of Devon, is represented in my list." 3

Early records of the family are scarce, but we did find Howell ap Yevan in the Rolls of Parliament and David ap Evan in the Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I. 4

Later, John Evens was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1568 and John Evans was a Freeman of York in 1679. Jaraes Hevens was found in Suffolk in 1674. 5

Early History of the Evans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Evans research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1080, 1607, 1630, 1632, 1645, 1660, 1679, 1680, 1693, 1702, 1715, 1720, 1723, 1734, 1749, 1778, 1808, 1811, 1817, 1821, 1849 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Evans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Evans Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Evans have included Evans, Evan, Evance, Evands, Evanson, Evason, Evens, Evenson and many more.

Early Notables of the Evans family

Rhirid Flaith a descendant in the Evans line about 1080
Arise Evans (or Rhys or Rice Evans) (1607-1660), a Welsh prophet and fanatic
Saint Philip Evans (1645-1679), Welsh priest, declared guilty of treason and executed, one of The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
George Evans, D.D. (1630?-1702), an English antiquary, vicar of New Windsor
William Evans (d. 1720?), a Welsh Presbyterian minister
John Evans (1693?-1734?), an English? actor who confined his performances to Ireland
John Evans (died c. 1723), a Welsh pirate who after an unsuccessful career as a legitimate sailor, Evans turned to piracy - initially raiding houses from a small canoe

Evans World Ranking

the United States, the name Evans is the 48^th most popular surname with an estimated 350,667 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Evans is ranked the 96^th most popular surname with an estimated 28,449 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Evans is the 89^th popular surname with an estimated 338 people with that name. 8 France ranks Evans as 7,462^nd with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 9 Australia ranks Evans as 22^nd with 52,100 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Evans as 46^th with 5,361 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Evans as 7^th with 181,541 people. 12

Migration of the Evans family to Ireland

Some of the Evans family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Evans migration to the United States +

North America in the 1800s and 1900s saw the arrival of many Welsh people hoping to share in the wealth of land, work, and freedom that they felt North America held. Those who made the journey often attained those expectations, but only through an enormous amount of hard work, perseverance, and often a bout of good luck. These immigrants helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and culture of both Canada and the United States. Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Evans:

Evans Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Evans, aged 35, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Neptune" 14
Thomas Evans, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
Christo Evans, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
Lawrence Evans, aged 15, who landed in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "James" 14
Marke Evans, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jonathan Evans, who landed in Virginia in 1707 14
Jos Evans, who landed in Virginia in 1711 14
Lydia Evans, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1711 14
Griffeth Evans, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
Philip Evans, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John May Evans, who arrived in America in 1801-1802 14
John J Evans, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 14
John D Evans, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 14
Ferdinand G Evans, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 14
Hugh W Evans, who arrived in Maryland in 1811 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Lydia Evans, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th May 1903 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 15
Mrs. Helen Evans, (b. 1871), aged 33, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1st October 1904 en route to Lead City, South Dakota, USA 15
Mr. Edward Evans, (b. 1883), aged 21, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd May 1904 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. Francis Evans, (b. 1873), aged 31, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1st October 1904 en route to Lead City, South Dakota, USA 15
Mr. Joseph Evans, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th October 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans migration to Canada +

Evans Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Griffith Evans, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Joseph Evans, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
John Jwoihfne Evans, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Evans, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Evans, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Evans, who arrived in Canada in 1823
Moses Evans, who landed in Canada in 1830
Charlotte Evans, who landed in Canada in 1832
Alicia Evans, aged 28, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Sea Horse" in 1833
Henry Evans, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Sea Horse" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

M Evans, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
D Evans, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Evans migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Joseph Evans, (Cuckoo, Cuckow), (d. 1821), British settler convicted in Reading, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Mr. Edward Evans, (1760 - 1790), aged 29, British settler convicted in Montgomery, Wales in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Mr. Francis Evans, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Mr. John Evans, (b. 1771), aged 18, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Mr. John Evans, (b 1770), aged 19, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14

Second Fleet

Mr. David Evans, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. David Evans, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for petty larceny, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. Francis Evans, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. George Evans, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. James Evans, British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14

Third Fleet

Mr. William Evans, (b. 1747), aged 40, English settler convicted in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 12th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, died shortly after arriving 14
Miss Elizabeth Evans, (b. 1759), aged 28, English settler convicted in London on 13th December 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
Mr. Humphrey Evans, British Private as a Navy support for the First Fleet aboard the "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
Mr. Humphrey Evans, British 2nd Lieutenant as a Navy support for the First Fleet aboard the "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, he returned to England in 1791 14

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Evans Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Evans, British Convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Margaret Evans, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Mary Evans, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Mary Evans, (b. 1766), aged 38, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 2nd January 1804, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1812 17
David Evans, English convict from Sussex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Evans Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Evans, who landed in Kapiti, New Zealand in 1839
Francis Evans, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
J Edward Evans, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide 19
John Evans, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide 19
James Evans, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Evans migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20

Evans Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Andrew Evans, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 21
Mr. John Evans, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
Mr. Nicholas Evans, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
Mr. Thomas Evans, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
Mr. Lewes Evans, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Evans (post 1700) +

Roger Walker Evans (1938-2025), American professional off road racing driver and member of the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame, a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, nicknamed "The Legend"
Daniel Jackson Evans (1925-2024), American politician, governor of Washington (1965-1977)
Andrea Lynn Evans (1957-2023), American actress and producer, best known for her portrayal of Tina Lord on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, a role she played from 1978 to 1981 and from 1985 to 1990, returning in 2008 and 2011
Christopher Robert "Chris" Evans (b. 1981), American award winning actor, best known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel movie series
Audrey Elizabeth Evans (1925-2022), British-born American pediatric oncologist who was known as the "Mother of Neuroblastoma", one of the co-founders of the original Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia
Hubert "Hugh" Evans (1940-2022), American NBA basketball referee for 28 seasons who worked 1,969 regular season NBA games and 35 NBA Finals games
David A. Evans (1941-2022), American chemist, the Abbott and James Lawrence Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, eponym of Evans' acyl oxazolidinone method
Harvey Evans (1941-2021), born Harvey Hohnecker, an American theatre and film actor, best known for having appeared in the original Broadway productions of West Side Story, Follies, Hello, Dolly!
Terry Lee Evans (1937-2018), American R&B, blues, and soul singer, guitarist and songwriter from Vicksburg, Mississippi
... (Another 65 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Evans family +

Centaur

John Klees Evans (1914-1943), Australian Corporal who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
William Arthur Evans (1903-1943), Australian Corporal who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. Albert Evans, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. John Evans, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 24
Mrs. Emma Evans (1888-1914), née Willett Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
... (Another 101 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Shadow Time Settlers (Retrieved 5th November 2010), retrieved from http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/settlers.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html