Neeves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Neeves was first brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is derived from the Old French "neveu," meaning "nephew," and was most likely first borne by an orphan who was brought up in the care of his uncle. Alternatively, it may have been used as a euphemism to refer to the illegitimate son of a medieval prelate.

Early Origins of the Neeves family

The surname Neeves was first found in Kent, where the family held estates. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, Duke William the Conquerer granted lands to the many Norman barons under his rule; the Neeves family is thought to be descended from one or several of these barons. The first known bearer of the name was Robert le Neve, who was living in Kent in 1242.

Early History of the Neeves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neeves research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1250, 1268, 1274, 1579, 1650, 1654, 1661, 1704 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Neeves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neeves Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Neve, Neave, Neaves, Neeve, Neeves, Nephew, Neveu and others.

Early Notables of the Neeves family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Neeves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neeves migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Neeves or a variant listed above:

Neeves Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Neeves, who landed in Virginia in 1699 1

Neeves migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Neeves Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Newling Neeves, aged 41, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "William Hammond" 2

Neeves 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:

Neeves Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Neeves, aged 36, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 3
Anne Neeves, aged 37, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 3
Harriet Neeves, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 3
Amy Neeves, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 3
Frank Neeves, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

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)
South Australian Register Wednesday 20th January 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Willaim Hammond 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamhammond1854.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html