Avistan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Avistan

The Avistan surname is derived from the Middle English/Old French given name Avice of uncertain origins, but interestingly one source noted that it is from "the personal name Avice, Latinized Avitius, found before 1086. (Domesday Book)." 1

Early Origins of the Avistan family

Early History of the Avistan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Avistan research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1674, 1709, 1736, 1752 and 1770 are included under the topic Early Avistan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Avistan Spelling Variations

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 Avis, Avison, Aviss and others.

Early Notables of the Avistan family

Charles Avison (1709-1770) English, Baroque composer. When a young man he visited Italy for the purpose of study, and after his return to England, became a pupil of Geminiani. On July 12, 1736, he was appointed organist of the church of St. Nicholas, in his native town. In addition to his musical attainments, he was a scholar, and a man of some literary acquirement. In 1752 he...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Avistan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Avistan family

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 Avistan or a variant listed above: George Avis, a servant sent from Bristol to Virginia in 1663; George Avis, who received a land patent in Virginia in 1664; William Avis, who settled in Boston in 1664.