Travor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

The Travor family name comes from the name of either of the Welsh settlements called Trevor in Denbigh and Anglesey. As such, the surname Travor belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Travor family

The surname Travor was first found in Herefordshire, where Tudor Trevor was Lord of Hereford, Wittington, and both Maelors, founder of the Tribe of the Marches. He was son of Ynyr Ap Cadforch, Lord of both Maelors in Powys, a Baron of Powys.

Trevor Hall is a large grade mansion standing in 85 acres (35 hectares) of parkland at Trevor, near Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales. The estate has been in the family since medieval times and was at one time the home of Bishop John Trevor (died 1357.)

There was always a close relationship with people of Wales and Cornwall; so it is not surprising to find an early reference to the family there. "The manor of Trevear [in the parish of Gorran] was formerly the property, and the mansion the residence of a family of this name. Tonkin says, that the mansion of Sir Henry Trevear was standing so late as the year 1736. From this family it passed to the Scawens, and it is now the property of Thomas Graham, Esq." 1

Early History of the Travor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Travor research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1346, 1357, 1410, 1563, 1596, 1618, 1620, 1626, 1630, 1637, 1641, 1642, 1644, 1658, 1669, 1670, 1672, 1673, 1693, 1695, 1706, 1717, 1730 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Travor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Travor Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Therefore, scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Travor has occasionally been spelled Trevor, Trefor and others.

Early Notables of the Travor family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Trevor (died 1357), Bishop of St Asaph in North Wales, (1346 to 1357); John Trevor (died 1410), or John Trevaur, Bishop of St. Asaph in Wales and later became nominal Bishop of St Andrews in Scotland; Sir John Trevor (1563-1630), MP and Surveyor of the Queen's Ships; Sir John Trevor (1596-1673), his son, MP from 1620, member of the Council of State during the Protectorate...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Travor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Travor family to Ireland

Some of the Travor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 132 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Travor migration to Canada +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Travor

Travor Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Travor, who arrived in Canada in 1828

Citations +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print