Naville History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Naville family

The surname Naville was first found in Nottingham where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire. They are believed to be a branch of the distinguished Neville Earls of the north country.

Early History of the Naville family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Naville research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1082, 1139, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Naville History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Naville Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Naville have been found, including Navely, Navill, Navil, Navilly and others.

Early Notables of the Naville family

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

Migration of the Naville family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Naville, or a variant listed above: James Navell, who arrived in America in 1685.

Contemporary Notables of the name Naville (post 1700) +

Marguerite-Isabelle Naville (1852-1930), Swiss artist, photographer and writer, wife of Egyptologist Édouard Naville, she accompanied him on 14 archaeological trips to Egypt
Henri Édouard Naville (1844-1926), Swiss archaeologist, Egyptologist and Biblical scholar
Denise Naville (1896-1979), French writer and translator, she and her husband Pierre Naville later moved away from surrealist activity to work with Leon Trotsky
Pierre Naville (1903-1993), French Surrealist writer and sociologist
Henri Édouard Naville (1844-1926), Swiss archaeologist, Egyptologist and Biblical scholar
François Naville (1883-1968), Swiss physician, director of the medico-legal Institute of the University of Geneva