Show ContentsAvelin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Avelin is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Avelin family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Avelin family lived in Surrey. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Ivelyn, in Calvados, Normandy. The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae noted Roger Ivelin, Normandy 1198. 1

Early Origins of the Avelin family

The surname Avelin was first found in Surrey where "the family, said to have come originally from Evelyn in Normandy, had settled in Shropshire and afterwards in Middlesex. " 2

From this verifiable source, we found Burke in his Burke's Landed Gentry who claimed derives it from a place in Shropshire "now called Evelyn, but formerly written Avelyn and Ivelyn." (Burke) However, this claim has met with disagreement as "the name of that place was formerly Evelyth, which has never been that of the family of Evelyn. " 1

Early History of the Avelin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Avelin research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1591, 1601, 1620, 1626, 1628, 1631, 1633, 1640, 1648, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1685, 1699, 1702, 1706 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Avelin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Avelin 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 Evelyn, Ivelyn, Aveling and others.

Early Notables of the Avelin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Evelyn (1591-1664), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1628 and 1660, reluctant supporter of the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War; Sir John Evelyn (1601-1685), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Wilton (1626), Ludgershall (1640-1648), and 1660 and Stockbridge in 1660; John Evelyn FRS (1620-1706), an English writer, gardener and diarist, best known for...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Avelin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Avelin migration to the United States +

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 Avelin or a variant listed above:

Avelin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Abraham Avelin, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1625 3
  • Mr. Arthur Avelin, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1625 3
Avelin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • S. E. Avelin, aged 21, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "The City of Boston" in 1865 4
Avelin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Anna Maria Avelin, aged 18, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Oscar II" in 1909 4
  • Oscar Maria Avelin, aged 25, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Anoka" in 1919 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Avelin (post 1700) +

  • Avelin Paul Tacon Jr. (1914-2014), American Air Force major general


The Avelin 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: Durete
Motto Translation: Hardness.


  1. 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)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  4. Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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