Show ContentsAnvess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Anvess family name to the British Isles. They 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 Anvess family

The surname Anvess 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 Anvess family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anvess 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 Anvess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anvess Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Danvers, D'Anvers, Denvers, Denver, Danver, Danvis and many more.

Early Notables of the Anvess 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 Anvess Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Anvess family to Ireland

Some of the Anvess 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 Anvess family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Anvess 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 Anvess 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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