Show ContentsEvelen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Evelen is a name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066. The Evelen family lived in Surrey. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Ivelyn, in Calvados, Normandy. The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae noted Roger Ivelin, Normandy 1198. 1

Early Origins of the Evelen family

The surname Evelen was first found in Surrey where "the family, said to have come originally from Evelyn in Normandy, had settled in Shropshire and afterwards in Middlesex. " 2

From this verifiable source, we found Burke in his Burke's Landed Gentry who claimed derives it from a place in Shropshire "now called Evelyn, but formerly written Avelyn and Ivelyn." (Burke) However, this claim has met with disagreement as "the name of that place was formerly Evelyth, which has never been that of the family of Evelyn. " 1

Early History of the Evelen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Evelen research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1591, 1601, 1620, 1626, 1628, 1631, 1633, 1640, 1648, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1685, 1699, 1702, 1706 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Evelen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Evelen Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Evelyn, Ivelyn, Aveling and others.

Early Notables of the Evelen family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Evelyn (1591-1664), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1628 and 1660, reluctant supporter of the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War; Sir John Evelyn (1601-1685), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Wilton (1626), Ludgershall (1640-1648), and 1660 and Stockbridge in 1660; John Evelyn FRS (1620-1706), an English writer, gardener and diarist, best known for...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Evelen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Evelen family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Evelen or a variant listed above: Mary Evelin who settled in Virginia in 1648; Thomas Evelin settled in Barbados in 1671; Francis Evelyn settled in Philadelphia in 1874.



The Evelen 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: Durete
Motto Translation: Hardness.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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