The ancestors of the name Eavely date back to the days of the
Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in either of the settlements called Everley in
Wiltshire or the West Riding of
Yorkshire. The surname Eavely 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 Eavely family
The surname Eavely 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Early History of the Eavely family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eavely research.
Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1268, 1511, 1586, 1554 and 1554 are included under the topic Early Eavely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Eavely Spelling Variations
Eavely 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. Many variations of the name Eavely have been found, including Everley, Eveleigh, Eveley, Evelley, Everlie and others.
Early Notables of the Eavely family (pre 1700)
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eavely Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Eavely family to Ireland
Some of the Eavely family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Eavely family to the New World and Oceana
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 Eavelys to arrive on North American shores: Katherine Everley who settled in Virginia in 1654; Simon Everley settled in Philadelphia in 1753.