Danvis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

When the ancestors of the Danvis family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. 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 Danvis family

The surname Danvis 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 Danvis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Danvis 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 Danvis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Danvis Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Danvis has been recorded under many different variations, including Danvers, D'Anvers, Denvers, Denver, Danver, Danvis and many more.

Early Notables of the Danvis family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Danvers, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1459-1460); William Danvers SL JP (1428-1504), a British judge; Sir John Danvers (1588-1655), an English politician, one of the signatories of the death warrant of Charles I; Sir Charles Danvers (c. 1568-1601), an English soldier who plotted against Elizabeth I of England; Elizabeth Danvers née Neville, later Elizabeth Carey (c. 1545-1630), an English noblewoman; Robert Danvers also Wright, Howard and...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Danvis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Danvis family to Ireland

Some of the Danvis 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.

Danvis migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Danviss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Danvis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John and Arthur Danvis, who settled in New England in 1715

The Danvis 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.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)