Anvil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Anvil family

The surname Anvil was first found in Kent where "in the parish of Waltham is the hamlet and green of Hanville, so called after the family of Handville or Handfield, whose habitation was close to it. Several of them lie buried in this church; they afterwards removed to Ullcombe, Ashford, and Canterbury; at the former place, a descendant of them still remains" (in 1800). 1

"Samson de Andeville was sent by Duke William to defend Jersey (De Gerville). William de Andeville (12th cent.) witnessed a charter of Ranulph Meschin in Cheshire (Mon. i. 592). In 1165 Thomas de Andeville held six fees of the barony of Eudo Dapifer 2.

Jordan de Andeville was of Essex, 1203; Richard de Andeville (13th cent.) had estates in seven counties (Testa de Neville). Alexander de Andeville had a writ of military summons 1263. The family of Andeville or Handville was seated in Kent 17th cent." 3

Early History of the Anvil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anvil research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1432, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Anvil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anvil Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Anvil include Handville, Hanville, Anville, Andville, Anvil, Anvill, Handvile, Handfill and many more.

Early Notables of the Anvil family

More information is included under the topic Early Anvil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Anvil family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)