Severin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Severin is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the county of Worcester. Severin is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. During the Middle Ages, as society became more complex, individuals needed a way to be distinguishable from others. Toponymic surnames were developed as a result of this need. Various features in the landscape or area were used to distinguish people from one another. In this case the original bearers of the surname Severin were named due to their close proximity to the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. During the Roman occupation the Severn was known by the Latin name Sabrina. 1
Early Origins of the Severin family
The surname Severin was first found in Worcestershire where John Seuarne was recorded as holding lands in the Subsidy Roll of 1327. Later in Gloucestershire, William Seuarne was listed in 1362. 2
Early History of the Severin family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Severin research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1300 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Severin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Severin Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Severin has been recorded under many different variations, including Severne, Severn, Seven, Sevens, Severin, Seffern, Sefferin and many more.
Early Notables of the Severin family
More information is included under the topic Early Severin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Severin Ranking
In the United States, the name Severin is the 14,184th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Severin is ranked the 3,796th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 4
Severin migration to the United States +
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Severin or a variant listed above:
Severin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Johann Severin, who landed in America in 1783 5
Severin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Charles Severin, who settled in Philadelphia in 1834
- Charles Severin, who arrived in Texas in 1866 5
Contemporary Notables of the name Severin (post 1700) +
- Jay Severin (1951-2020), born James Thompson Severino III, an American political talk radio personality
- Marie Severin (b. 1929), American comic book artist, inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2001
- John Severin (b. 1921), American comic book artist, inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2003
- Arban Severin (b. 1976), American composer, musician and film actress, wife of Steven Severin
- Giles Timothy "Tim" Severin (b. 1940), English historian, traveler and author
- Tim Severin (1940-2020), British explorer, historian, and writer, awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
- Steven Severin (b. 1955), British musician and composer, member of Siouxsie & the Banshees
- Scott Severin (b. 1979), Scottish footballer
- Mark Severin (1906-1987), British artist specialising bookplates
- Gustav Severin Henriksen (1872-1939), Norwegian Shipping Executive
The Severin Motto +
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Virtus praestantior auro
Motto Translation: Virtue is more excellent than gold.
Citations +
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)