Show ContentsCleevelyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Cleevelyn date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in Cleveley or Cleveland-Port, hamlets in the parish of Ormesby, union of Guisborough in Yorkshire, both in the generally in the Cleveland Vale (hilly district), of Yorkshire. 1 2

Early Origins of the Cleevelyn family

The surname Cleevelyn was first found in Yorkshire where the first records of the family were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1370: Johannes de Clyveland; and Robertus de Clyveland, 1379. 3

Early History of the Cleevelyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cleevelyn research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1613, 1632, 1645, 1651, 1658 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Cleevelyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cleevelyn Spelling Variations

Cleevelyn has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Cleevelyn have been found, including Cleveland, Cleaveland, Clyveland and others.

Early Notables of the Cleevelyn family

Distinguished members of the family include John Cleveland (1613-1658), an English poet, graduated Christ's College, Cambridge in 1632, opposed the election of Oliver Cromwell as member for Cambridge in the Long Parliament, and lost his college post as a result in 1645. His name is properly spelt Cleiveland, from the former residence of the family in Yorkshire. 4 The Cleavelands were...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cleevelyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cleevelyn family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Cleevelyns to arrive on North American shores: Moses Cleveland, born in Suffolk, England, who settled in Massachusetts in 1640.



The Cleevelyn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semel et semper
Motto Translation: Once and always.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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