Humphrevul History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Humphrevul 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 Humphrevul family lived in "Amfreville, in the viscounty of Evereux, which was held by the service of two knights. This family came to England at the Conquest." 1

Early Origins of the Humphrevul family

The surname Humphrevul was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat from 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, granted the forest, valley, and Lordship of Riddesdale, to Sir Robert Umfreville (nicknamed Robert with the Beard,) Lord of Tours and Vian in Normandy.

The family took control of Prudhoe Castle on the south bank of the River Tyne at Prudhoe, Northumberland. "In the reign of King John, we find Richard de Umfraville making 'his whole court at Whelpington' witness to a grant to the monks of Kelso; and the place for some time subsequently continued in this family, of whom Gilbert, in 1267, obtained from Henry III. liberty to hold a weekly market and annual fair here, which privileges, however, remained in force only for a very short period." 2

The parish of Monkridge-Ward also held special significance the family. "About the year 1242, Munkeriche was held of Gilbert de Umfraville by Maria de Munkeriche and Roger Dun, by drengage service; in 1398, Maud, widow of Gilbert de Umfraville, died seised of the place." 2

"The Umfravilles, a Norman house whose name is derived from Amfreville, between Brionne and Louviers in Normandy, had possessed since the Conquest the liberty of Redesdale in Northumberland, and since Henry I's time the castle of Prudhoe, south of the Tyne, in the same county." 3

And a branch of the family was found at Barrasford, again in Northumberland. "At this place, which, with the exception of a small freehold, is the property of the Duke of Northumberland, Robert de Umfraville in 1303 obtained license from Edward I. to hold a market on Wednesdays, and a fair on November 11th, both of which have been discontinued." 2

"No Border barons were more constantly in the saddle, or more eager at the call of the slogan; none so busied in the unceasing turmoil of the Marcher feuds, or so fierce and dauntless in their life-long warfare against the Scots. They had full jurisdiction within their spacious domain, and needed to be powerful as well as brave, for they had to hold the castles of Harbottle and Otterburn in addition to their great stronghold of Prudhoe, so gallantly defended against William the Lion in 1170. After many fruitless assaults, the Scottish King had to raise the siege and retreat homewards, and was taken prisoner on his march to Alnwick by Odonel de Umfreville and Bernard Baliol." 4

Early History of the Humphrevul family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Humphrevul research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1245, 1246, 1277, 1308, 1325 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Humphrevul History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Humphrevul 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 Umfreville, Umphreville, Umfrevill, Umphrevill and many more.

Early Notables of the Humphrevul family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Gilbert de Umfraville (d.1245), a 13th-century nobleman; and his son, Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus (r. 1246-1308), the first of...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Humphrevul Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Humphrevul 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 Humphrevul or a variant listed above: Robert Umfravill who landed in America in 1760.

Citations +

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3