Show ContentsRivenbark History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Rivenbark is occupational in origin and derives from a person that made rivets for armor. The word itself derives from the Old French word "rivet," meaning "small nail" or "bolt." 1

Early Origins of the Rivenbark family

The surname Rivenbark was first found in Poitou, where this family was installed in ancient times.

Many members of this family devoted their lives to the religious service and became bishops of their respective regions. The family branch Rivet sprung André Rivet, famous Calvinist theologian, born in 1573 at Confolens (Charente), dead in Nans in 1749. Antoine outlined and composed the first nine volumes of The Literary History of France (1728-1750), later continued by Dom Clémencet, D. Clément, and then by the French Institute.

He accomplished this large work in the monastery of Saint-Vincent of Mans where his superiors relegated him (1719) as editor of the famous, "Nécrologe de Port-Royal". Antoine Rivet de la Grange was a learned Benedictine.

Early History of the Rivenbark family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rivenbark research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1572, 1632, 1651, 1696, 1778, 1808 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Rivenbark History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rivenbark Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rivest, Rivet, Rive, Rives, Larivest, Larivet, Larive, Larives, Delarive, Delarivest, Delarivet, Riverain, Rivaud, Rivaut, Rivereau, Rivelin, Rivelon and many more.

Early Notables of the Rivenbark family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rivenbark Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rivenbark Ranking

In the United States, the name Rivenbark is the 17,585th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Rivenbark family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Maurice Rivet (direct ancestor of Cardinal Villeneuve) who settled in Quebec in Cont. Ameau with his wife Marie Cusson in 1671; Pierre Rivet who married in Montreal his wife Madeleine Sé.



  1. Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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