Bavill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Bavill family

The surname Bavill was first found in Norfolk, a Bayfield, a parish, in the union of Erpingham, hundred of Holt. 1

Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the under-tenant of the lands of Bayfield which were held by under-tenant Walter Giffard from the King (Duke William) and who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Walter (Gautier) Giffard was Count of Longueville, and his main seat was at Aveton Manor. He and his relations held many manors.

Early History of the Bavill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bavill research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1390, 1461, 1531 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Bavill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bavill Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Bavill family name include Bayfield, Baifield, Bafield, Bayfeld and others.

Early Notables of the Bavill family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Bayfield (died 1531) an English Protestant martyr. After exile to the Low Countries, he then returned to England and was active in circulating the New Testament and other prohibited books, including the works of Luther, Zwingli and Melancthon. He was discovered, imprisoned...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bavill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bavill migration to Canada +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Bavill family to immigrate North America:

Bavill Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jean Jaque Bavill, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1752

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.