Show ContentsCleevelynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient history of the Cleevelynd name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in Cleveley or Cleveland-Port, hamlets in the parish of Ormesby, union of Guisborough in Yorkshire, both in the generally in the Cleveland Vale (hilly district), of Yorkshire. 1 2

Early Origins of the Cleevelynd family

The surname Cleevelynd was first found in Yorkshire where the first records of the family were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1370: Johannes de Clyveland; and Robertus de Clyveland, 1379. 3

Early History of the Cleevelynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cleevelynd research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1613, 1632, 1645, 1651, 1658 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Cleevelynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cleevelynd Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cleevelynd include Cleveland, Cleaveland, Clyveland and others.

Early Notables of the Cleevelynd family

Distinguished members of the family include John Cleveland (1613-1658), an English poet, graduated Christ's College, Cambridge in 1632, opposed the election of Oliver Cromwell as member for Cambridge in the Long Parliament, and lost his college post as a result in 1645. His name is properly spelt Cleiveland, from the former residence of the family in Yorkshire. 4 The Cleavelands were...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cleevelynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cleevelynd family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled 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 ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cleevelynd or a variant listed above: Moses Cleveland, born in Suffolk, England, who settled in Massachusetts in 1640.



The Cleevelynd 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: Semel et semper
Motto Translation: Once and always.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook