Show ContentsD'anvers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the D'anvers family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Norfolk. "William Denvers, evidently one of the Conqueror's adherents, occurs in the Norfolk Domesday; and genealogists assert that a Roland D'Anvers assisted at the Conquest. " 1

They were originally from Anvers, Belgium, which is the French form of the name of the city of Antwerp. 2

Early Origins of the D'anvers family

The surname D'anvers was first found in Norfolk where "this name, taken from the town of Anvers, was born by Roland D'Anvers, who came thence to the conquest of England. He was ancestor of the families of D'Anvers or Culworth, raised to the degree of baronets in 1642, of D'Anvers of Dantsey, ennobled under the title of Danby, and D'Anvers of Horley." 3

Early census records revealed Ralph de Anuers, Danuers in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1230. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Ralph de Anvers in Oxfordshire. 4

Early History of the D'anvers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our D'anvers research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1459, 1460, 1504, 1545, 1568, 1573, 1588, 1601, 1624, 1630, 1643, 1655, 1659, 1660, 1668, 1674 and 1725 are included under the topic Early D'anvers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

D'anvers Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name D'anvers were recorded, including Danvers, D'Anvers, Denvers, Denver, Danver, Danvis and many more.

Early Notables of the D'anvers family

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

Migration of the D'anvers family to Ireland

Some of the D'anvers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


D'anvers migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name D'anvers arrived in North America very early:

D'anvers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Richard Danvers who arrived in Philadelphia in 1844 with his brother

D'anvers migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

D'anvers Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Danvers, English convict from Gloucester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 5

D'anvers migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

D'anvers Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Boswell Danvers, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1853 6

Contemporary Notables of the name D'anvers (post 1700) +

  • Dennis Danvers (b. 1947), American author of science fiction novels
  • Ivor Danvers (b. 1932), English actor, best known for his role as Gerald Urquhart in the 1980s BBC drama Howards' Way
  • Charles Danvers, Algerian-born, French songwriter, awarded a knighthood by the French Academy of Arts
  • Tasha De'Anka Danvers (b. 1977), British Olympic bronze track and field medalist
  • John Danvers, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University
  • Sir Danvers Osborne (1715-1753), 3rd Baronet, English-born, American Colonial Governor of New York province (1753)
  • Mary Danvers Stocks (1891-1975), Baroness Stocks, née Brinton, a British writer, suffragist and principal of Westfield College
  • Dorothy Danvers Dakin (1919-2009), English Headmistress of the Red Maids School, Bristol
  • Sir Danvers Osborne (1715-1753), 3rd Baronet, English colonial governor of New York in 1753


The D'anvers 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: Forte en loyalte
Motto Translation: Brave in loyalty.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook