Show ContentsAwlevay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Awlevay name began with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the Germanic personal name Aldway which was derived from Aeoelwig, which meant noble war.

Early Origins of the Awlevay family

The surname Awlevay was first found in Suffolk where Godric filius Ælfuuii was listed at Bury St Edmunds c.1095. Later, the singular Alfwy was registered in Berkshire in 1212 and in the same year, Swein and William Alvi were registered in the Curia Regis Rolls for Oxfordshire. 1 This county would become a stronghold for the family as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had several early spellings of the name listed: Robert Alewi; Aldwy ad Fontem; William Aldwy and Walter Elwy. 2

In Sussex, Adam Alfwy was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296; John and Agnes Aluy were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 as was Edward Eluy in the same year. 1

About the same time, the source the History of Norfolk notes: "Roger Bigot had a small tenure at the Survey, held by a freeman of Alwi, in King Edward's reign." 3

Early History of the Awlevay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Awlevay research. Another 199 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1212, 1279, 1296, 1327, 1349, 1369, 1530, 1533, 1537, 1538, 1561, 1584, 1645, 1676, 1704, 1805, 1816, 1830, 1834, 1835, 1838, 1840 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Awlevay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Awlevay Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Awlevay family name include Alvey, Alvay, Alvy, Alvie, Allvey, Elvy, Elvey, Aelfuuii, Alvi, Alfy, Elphey, Alfwy, Aluy, Eluy and many more.

Early Notables of the Awlevay family

Distinguished members of the family include William Alvi, a prominent 13th century landholder in Oxfordshire.Richard Alvey (died 1584), was an English clergyman, Master of the Temple Church. He received his education at Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1530 and M.A. in 1533. He was admitted a fellow of St. John's College...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Awlevay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Awlevay family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Awlevay surname or a spelling variation of the name include : Samuel Alvey, who sailed to New York in 1822; and Thomas Alvey to Philadelphia 1873.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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