The Anglo-Saxon name Devone comes from the family having resided near a body of water derived from the Old English word that means deep waters.
The surname Devone was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Devone research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Devone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Devone has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Devenish, Devonish, Devanay, Devenay, Deveney, Devenney, Devenny, O'Devanny, O'Devenish, O'Devonish and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Devone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Devone family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Devones to arrive on North American shores: John Devenish who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, two children, and servants; another John settled in New England in 1678; Hugh, Daniel, John, Michael, Samuel, Thomas, and William Devenney, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870..