Show ContentsAnveray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Anveray is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Anveray family lived in Norfolk. "William Denvers, evidently one of the Conqueror's adherents, occurs in the Norfolk Domesday; and genealogists assert that a Roland D'Anvers assisted at the Conquest. " 1

They were originally from Anvers, Belgium, which is the French form of the name of the city of Antwerp. 2

Early Origins of the Anveray family

The surname Anveray was first found in Norfolk where "this name, taken from the town of Anvers, was born by Roland D'Anvers, who came thence to the conquest of England. He was ancestor of the families of D'Anvers or Culworth, raised to the degree of baronets in 1642, of D'Anvers of Dantsey, ennobled under the title of Danby, and D'Anvers of Horley." 3

Early census records revealed Ralph de Anuers, Danuers in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1230. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Ralph de Anvers in Oxfordshire. 4

Early History of the Anveray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anveray research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1459, 1460, 1504, 1545, 1568, 1573, 1588, 1601, 1624, 1630, 1643, 1655, 1659, 1660, 1668, 1674 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Anveray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anveray Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Danvers, D'Anvers, Denvers, Denver, Danver, Danvis and many more.

Early Notables of the Anveray family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Danvers, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1459-1460); William Danvers SL JP (1428-1504), a British judge; Sir John Danvers (1588-1655), an English politician, one of the signatories of the death warrant of Charles I; Sir Charles Danvers (c. 1568-1601), an English soldier who plotted against Elizabeth I of England; Elizabeth Danvers née Neville, later Elizabeth Carey (c. 1545-1630), an English noblewoman; Robert Danvers also Wright, Howard and...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Anveray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Anveray family to Ireland

Some of the Anveray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Anveray family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Anveray or a variant listed above: Richard Danvers who arrived in Philadelphia in 1844 with his brother Thomas; R. Denviers settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1823.



The Anveray 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: Forte en loyalte
Motto Translation: Brave in loyalty.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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