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Show ContentsEavelley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Eavelley belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in either of the settlements called Everley in Wiltshire or the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Eavelley belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Eavelley family

The surname Eavelley was first found in North Yorkshire at Everley or at Everleigh in Wiltshire. Both are rather old villages. Everley in Yorkshire dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Eurelai 1 and Everleigh in Wiltshire dates back further to Saxon times when it was listed as Eburleagh. Both have similar origins in that they both literally mean "wood or clearing frequented by wild boars," from the Old English words "eofar" + "leah." 2

Everley in Wiltshire "at the time of the heptarchy, was the residence of Ina, King of the West Saxons; it subsequently belonged for many generations to the Plantagenets, dukes of Lancaster, and eventually became vested in the crown, as the property of Henry of Bolingbroke, afterwards Henry IV. " 3

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times: Ailward de Euerlay was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1200 for Warwickshire; William de Everley in Yorkshire in 1247; and William de Euerley in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1346. 4

Further to the north in Scotland, this branch claims descent from "Everley in the North Riding, Yorkshire. Johannes de Euerlay, canon of Dunkeld, was papal commissioner, 1248 and also in 1250-1251 was witness to a charter by Geoffrey, bishop of Dunkeld. As Johannes de Evirlay or Ewerlay he is a charter witness in Perth in reigns of Alexander II and III. He may be Master John de Enerleya (u misread n), apparently a churchman, who attested a charter to Abbey of Culross, c. 1231." 5

Early History of the Eavelley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eavelley research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1268, 1511, 1554, 1586, 1639 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Eavelley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eavelley Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Eavelley include Everley, Eveleigh, Eveley, Evelley, Everlie and others.

Early Notables of the Eavelley family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eavelley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Eavelley family to Ireland

Some of the Eavelley 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.

Migration of the Eavelley family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Eavelley were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Katherine Everley who settled in Virginia in 1654; Simon Everley settled in Philadelphia in 1753.
  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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