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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
The surname Vitale 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vitale 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 Vitale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Vial, Vidal, Vital, Viall, Veel, Vele, Veil, Veele, Vidall, Vital, Vitall, Viel and many more.
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 Vitale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Vitale is the 3,552nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Vitale is ranked the 5,871st most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4
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.
To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Vitale or a variant listed above: