Show ContentsRivot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Rivot

What does the name Rivot mean?

The name Rivot has a long French heritage that first began in northwestern region of Brittany. The name is derived from when the family lived in Brittany.

Early Origins of the Rivot family

The surname Rivot was first found in Brittany.

One of the first records of the family was Peter de Rivalx or Rivallis (died 1258), a favourite of Henry III. A Poitevin (born in Poitou, France) by birth, in 1204, he was granted various churches in Lincolnshire and by 1218, he appears as one of the king's chamberlains and a clerk in the wardrobe. In 1223, he was Chancellor of Poitou. "He was later granted the custody of many of the most important castles in England, the royal purveyorship at fairs, the chamberlainship of the Exchequer in Ireland." 1

Early History of the Rivot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rivot research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1571, 1616, 1697, 1778 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Rivot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rivot Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of French surnames; in part, as spelling, and the spelling names was not yet standardized during the early development of the written French language. Later, there was much branching and movement of families, and spellings would change according to region. Variations of the name Rivot include Rivaud, Rivard, Rivault, Rivaude, Rivot, Du Rivau and many more.

Early Notables of the Rivot family

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

Migration of the Rivot family

French settlers came early to North American, following in the wake of the explorers, and creating New France. Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is said to have been the first American site founded as a permanent settlement, rather than as just a commercial outpost. But emigration was slow, in 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 French people in Quebec, and by 1663, when the region was officially made The Royal Colony of New France, by Louis XIV, there still only around 500 settlers. Over 2,000 would arrive during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted immigrants, both noble and commoner from France. By 1675, there were around 7000 French in the colony, and by that same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Despite the loss of the Colony to England, the French people flourished in Lower Canada. Among settlers to North America of the Rivot surname were J.W. Rivarde who settled in New Orleans La. in 1820; I. W. Rivarde settled in Mississippi in 1820; H.L. Rivard settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868..



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook