Show ContentsYewynne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Yewynne surname comes from the Welsh personal name Evan. The original form of the name was Jevon, which then became Yevan and Ieuan before taking on its present form. Evan is a cognate of the personal name John.

Early Origins of the Yewynne family

The surname Yewynne was first found in Lincolnshire. Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings over the years. Alexander le iouene was the first on record followed by John le Jofne who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1200. Over 50 years later, Bartholomew le Joevene, le Juvene was found in Bedfordshire (1254-1269.) But before that, Robert le Joefne, le Jevene was listed in the Feet of Fines for Northumberland (1242-1255.) 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include a listing for Heine filius Yevan in Salop (Shropshire.) "Jevons is an old name in Shropshire. Samuel Jevon was mayor of Shrewsbury in 1672 (Phillip's "Shrewsbury"). Jevans was the name of the bailiffs of Ludlow in 1538 and 1593." 2

Early History of the Yewynne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yewynne research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1564, 1594, 1600, 1652, 1673, 1676, 1686, 1688, 1795, 1825, 1835, 1845, 1867 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Yewynne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yewynne Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Yewynne name over the years has been spelled Jeavon, Jeavons, Jevin, Jevan, Jevon, Jevons, Javin, Gevin, Gevinn, Ievan and many more.

Early Notables of the Yewynne family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Thomas Jevon (1652-1688), actor and playwright. He was "a dancing-master, but worked his way on to the stage, and played leading low-comedy parts in London between 1673 and 1688. He appeared as Sneak in D'Urfey's 'Fond Husband' in 1676, and made a brilliant success as Harlequin in Mountford's farcical 'Dr. Faustus.' His only published play, and probably, as a contemporary manuscript note on one of the British Museum copies says, 'the only dramatick performance of Mr. Thos. Jevon,' was 'The Devil of a Wife; or a Comical Transformation,' which was licensed...
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yewynne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Yewynne family to Ireland

Some of the Yewynne family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Yewynne family

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Yewynne: D. Gevinn, who sailed to New Orleans in 1820; Thomas Gevin, also to New Orleans, in 1823; and John Givin, who settled in Des Moines, Iowa by 1887.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook