Vitalis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

This noble family claim descent from the Normans, specifically from the Latin name Vitalis, which is derived from the Old French names Vitel, Viel, the name of some ten saints (Latin vitalis 'pertaining to life, vital'), and became common in England after the Conquest both in its learned form Vitalis and in the northern French form Viel. The absence of early forms of Vidal suggests that this was a later immigrant from Languedoc. Viel also survives as Veal. Vital may also be attributive from Middle English vital in the sense 'full of vitality' 1

Early Origins of the Vitalis family

The surname Vitalis was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the early Latin spellings Vitalis, Vitel and Fitel were listed. In Devon, the Domesday Book records Vitalis de Colintone as holding lands there at that time. 2 1

The lands of Devon were held by Vitalis of Berny. Abbot Vitalis was Abbot of Westminster in 1076 and he may have been at the confirmation of Duke William as King of England at Lillebonne in Normandy in 1061.

Early History of the Vitalis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vitalis research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1041, 1153, 1172, 1191, 1194, 1327, 1474, 1476, 1510, 1543, 1600, 1629, 1632, 1648, 1674, 1708 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Vitalis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitalis Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Vitalis has been recorded under many different variations, including Vial, Vidal, Vital, Viall, Veel, Vele, Veil, Veele, Vidall, Vital, Vitall, Viel and many more.

Early Notables of the Vitalis family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Veel or Veal (1632?-1708), an English nonconformist tutor, of good family, and born, probably in Gloucestershire. Robert...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vitalis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitalis Ranking

In France, the name Vitalis is the 8,856^th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Vitalis family to Ireland

Some of the Vitalis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitalis migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Vitaliss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Vitalis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Louis Vitalis, aged 64, who arrived in St Louis, Missouri in 1849 4
Batista Vitalis, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1874 4

Vitalis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Otto Vitalis, who landed in Chile in 1912 4

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)