Show ContentsXavier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The noble Spanish surname Xavier is local in origin, as it is derived from the name of the place where the original bearer once lived or owned land. Thus, this surname would simply have identified the original bearer as one who hailed from this place. In ancient times, before the advent of a formal system of hereditary family surnames, it was common practice to name a person according to his place of origin.

The name Xavier spread because of devotion to Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), the Spanish missionary who, together, with Ignatius of Loyola, founded the Society of Jesus in 1534.

Early Origins of the Xavier family

The surname Xavier was first found in the northern region of Navarre.

Early History of the Xavier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Xavier research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1552 and 1625 are included under the topic Early Xavier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Xavier Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Xavier, Javié and others.

Early Notables of the Xavier family

Prominent among bearers of the family name at this time was

  • San Francisco Javier (Saint Francis Xavier, 1505-1552) who belonged to this noble family...

Xavier Ranking

In the United States, the name Xavier is the 12,285th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Xavier is ranked the 2,445th most popular surname with an estimated 2,500 - 3,000 people with that name. 2


United States Xavier migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Xavier Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Francesca Xavier who arrived in New Orleans in 1779
Xavier Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Xavier who settled in Charleston in 1827 at the age of 23
  • A. Xavier, aged 52, who settled in America, in 1894
  • Armbruster Xavier, aged 29, who landed in America, in 1894
  • Buck Xavier, aged 63, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Xavier Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Francisco Xavier, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Angra, Portugal, in 1909
  • Ana da Xavier, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
  • Adelino Xavier, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Villa Real, Portugal, in 1913
  • Alzira Yesus Xavier, aged 18, who settled in America from Madeira, Portugal, in 1913
  • Antonio Xavier, aged 22, who landed in America from Chaves, Portugal, in 1917
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Xavier (post 1700) +

  • Nelson Xavier (1941-2017), Brazilian actor who appeared in more than 95 films and television shows between 1959 and 2017
  • Cleiton Ribeiro Xavier (b. 1983), Brazilian footballer
  • Babi Xavier (b. 1974), Brazilian actress, singer and television host
  • Anderson Conceição Xavier (b. 1980), Brazilian footballer
  • Faisal Xavier (b. 1972), former Portuguese professional footballer
  • Frank Xavier Rydzewski (1892-1979), American football player who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Tigers (1920), Cleveland Tigers (1920), Hammond Pros (1920, 1922–1926), Chicago Cardinals (1921), Chicago Bears (1923), and Milwaukee Badgers (1925)
  • François Xavier Laval-Montmorency (1623-1708), French Clergyman and missionary, sent to Quebec in 1659, he became the first Bishop of Quebec (1674-1688), and is the namesake of Laval University
  • Francis Xavier Costigan QC (1931-2009), Australian lawyer, Royal Commissioner and social justice activist who presiding over the Costigan Commission into organised crime
  • Francesc Xavier Arnau Grabalosa (1975-2021), Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper
  • Francis Xavier Gsell OBE (1872-1960), German-born, Australian Roman Catholic bishop


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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