Show ContentsAlvis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Alvis

What does the name Alvis mean?

The Alvis family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the Germanic personal name Aldway which was derived from Aeoelwig, which meant noble war.

Early Origins of the Alvis family

The surname Alvis was first found in Suffolk where Godric filius Ælfuuii was listed at Bury St Edmunds c.1095. Later, the singular Alfwy was registered in Berkshire in 1212 and in the same year, Swein and William Alvi were registered in the Curia Regis Rolls for Oxfordshire. 1 This county would become a stronghold for the family as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had several early spellings of the name listed: Robert Alewi; Aldwy ad Fontem; William Aldwy and Walter Elwy. 2

In Sussex, Adam Alfwy was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296; John and Agnes Aluy were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 as was Edward Eluy in the same year. 1

About the same time, the source the History of Norfolk notes: "Roger Bigot had a small tenure at the Survey, held by a freeman of Alwi, in King Edward's reign." 3

Early History of the Alvis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alvis research. Another 199 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1212, 1279, 1296, 1327, 1349, 1369, 1530, 1533, 1537, 1538, 1561, 1584, 1645, 1676, 1704, 1805, 1816, 1830, 1834, 1835, 1838, 1840 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Alvis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alvis Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Alvis include Alvey, Alvay, Alvy, Alvie, Allvey, Elvy, Elvey, Aelfuuii, Alvi, Alfy, Elphey, Alfwy, Aluy, Eluy and many more.

Early Notables of the Alvis family

Distinguished members of the family include William Alvi, a prominent 13th century landholder in Oxfordshire.Richard Alvey (died 1584), was an English clergyman, Master of the Temple Church. He received his education at Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1530 and M.A. in 1533. He was admitted a fellow of St. John's College...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alvis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alvis Ranking

In the United States, the name Alvis is the 9,166th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Alvis family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Alvis were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Samuel Alvey, who sailed to New York in 1822; and Thomas Alvey to Philadelphia 1873.


Contemporary Notables of the name Alvis (post 1700) +

  • Norman Alvis (b. 1963), American former cyclist, winner of the United States National Road Race Championships (1995)
  • Hayes Alvis (1907-1972), American jazz bassist and tubist
  • Roy Maxwell Alvis (b. 1938), American former Major League Baseball player who played from 1962 to 1970
  • John Alvis, American Republican politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 107th District, 1998 5
  • Gordon Alvis, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1956 5
  • Mr. John Alvis O.B.E., M.B.E., British Director for Alvis Brothers Ltd., was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Cheese Exports, Farming and Rural Communities 6
  • J. Alvis Clore (1892-1959), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Henderson, Kentucky, 1942-46; Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives 14th District, 1958-59 7
  • Alvis Edgar "Buck" Owens (1929-2006), American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the country music charts with his band the Buckaroos, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • Alvis Forrest Gregg (b. 1933), former American football player and coach inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Alvis Lindel "Al" Veach (1909-1990), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1935 season


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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