Show ContentsTavender History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Tavender reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Tavender is for a person who kept a tavern or public house. 1

"A family of this name was long seated at Elmham in Norfolk, where Ralph Le Taverner is mentioned in 1272, and only died out in 1682, leaving younger branches to flourish in Essex, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire. John Taverner, we are told, distinguished himself at Agincourt." 2

Early Origins of the Tavender family

The surname Tavender was first found in Yorkshire where William le Tauerner, Tauernier was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1175 and 1177. Later, William le Tavenerner was found in Warwickshire in 1268. 3

Up in Scotland, one of the first records found was "Henry le Taverner, a crossbowman, one of the English garrison of Linlithgow Castle in 1305." 4

Early History of the Tavender family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tavender research. Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1305, 1361, 1397, 1402, 1406, 1407, 1417, 1490, 1505, 1545, 1572, 1575, 1584, 1638, 1680, 1690, 1706, 1736, 1739, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Tavender History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tavender Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Tavender are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Tavender include Taverner, Tabenor, Tabiner, Tavernor, Taviner, Tavenor and many more.

Early Notables of the Tavender family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Taverner (fl. 1397-1407), of Leominster, an English politician, Member of Parliamnet for Leominster in 1397, 1402, 1406 and 1407; William Taverner (fl. 1417), an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Lyme Regis in 1417; and John Taverner (1490-1545), English composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important English composer of his era. Richard Taverner (1505-1575), was...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tavender Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tavender family to Ireland

Some of the Tavender family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Tavender migration to Australia +

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

Tavender Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • David Tavender, aged 23, a stonemason, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Neptune" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Tavender (post 1700) +

  • Ed Tavender, American graphic designer of the Lone Star logo and artwork for Lone Star Airlines, based in Fort Worth, Texas
  • Ian Tavender, English author of The Distinguished Flying Medal: A Record of Courage 1918–82 (1990)
  • Horace Herbert Tavender, British political candidate for Brixton in the London County Council election (1919)
  • Mr Sydney Tavender, British chairman of the Cotswold branch of the Far East Prisoners of War during World War II


  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. 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
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. South Australian Register Wednesday 26 October 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Neptune 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/neptune1853.shtml


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