Show ContentsPavie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pavie surname is derived from the given name Pavia, popularly known as Pavey. 1 2 3

However, another source notes that name could have been "a nickname from a kind of Peach [French pavie; from the place-name]" 4

Early Origins of the Pavie family

The surname Pavie was first found in Warwickshire where Ricardus filius Pauee was listed 1156-1185. A few years later, Gillebertus filius Pauie was found in the Pipe Rolls for Somerset in 1172 and Pavia was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Essex in 1206. Paveya (surname only) was found in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219 as was Ribert Paui. Later, Richard Paveye was found in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire in 1251. 5

"The name does not appear to have been very common in England. Walter Pavey is mentioned in 1222 in the Domesday of St. Paul's. Thomas Pavi and Alice his wife occur in Staffordshire in 1272, and N. Pawei in the Hundredorum Rolls of the same date. Henry Pavey of Chippenham, and John Pavey, each again married to an Alice, are found in Kent in the Feet of Fines for Kent in 1319. Richard Pavey was among the Esquires who were in the retinue of Thomas Earl of Arundel at Agincourt in 1415. The earliest mentioned is "Ricardo de Payee," who in 1183 witnesses Robert de Stafford's charter to Bordesley Abbey. They occur at a later date in several other counties. Two of the name, William Pavey, obt. 1725, and Mary, wife of Robert Pavey, obt. 1770, lie buried in Bruton churchyard, Somerset. A small tablet of very ancient date, suspended in the centre arch of Stapleford Church, and inscribed with the old version of the first Psalm, bears the name of William Pavie." 6

To the north in Cumberland (Cumbria) the source, Estates and Families of Cumberland notes that Pavia was widow of Robert de Grinsdale. 'In the 12th year of King Henry III, Radulph, the son of said William de Bochardby, entered to the seignory. His sisters Alice, Pavy, and Agnes were his heirs'

Pavey Ark is a fell in the English county of Cumbria. It is the largest cliff in the Langdales.

Early History of the Pavie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pavie research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1604, 1614 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Pavie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pavie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pavey, Pavie, Pavy, Pavis, Pafey, Paivey, Payvey, Pavier, Payver and many more.

Early Notables of the Pavie family

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

Pavie Ranking

In France, the name Pavie is the 3,405th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Pavie family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Joseph Pavey, who came to Georgia in 1736; William Pavey, George Pavey and Elijah Pavey, who were on record in census of Ontario, Canada in 1871; as well as Samuel Pavey, who was naturalized in Detroit in 1872..



  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Baring-Gould S., Family Names and their Story. London: Seeley, Service & Co. Limited, 1913. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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