Favill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Favill

What does the name Favill mean?

The surname Favill was derived from the Old French word "fauvel" which means "follow-colored, tawny" and as such was a nickname.

Early Origins of the Favill family

The surname Favill was first found in Yorkshire where Eudo Faluel was listed in the Seals of Yorkshire 1160-76. A few years later, Rannulf fauuel was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Herefordshire in 1195. 1

Early History of the Favill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Favill research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Favill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Favill Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Favell, Vavell, Favel, Favill, Favall and others.

Early Notables of the Favill family

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

Migration of the Favill family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Favill or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

The Favill 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: En dieu ma foi
Motto Translation: My faith is in God.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)