Vavsour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Vavsour arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Vavsour family lived in Yorkshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Le Vavassour, Normandy.

"Wace, in describing the second charge of the Conqueror at Hastings, tells us it was led by the Duke himself, at the head of 'a great company, vavassors of Normandy, who to save their lord would have put their own bodies between him and the enemie's blows.' In the case of the baronial Vavasours we must, however, adopt the former signification, as they claimed to derive their name from Sir Mauger le Valvasour, door-keeper to William the Conqueror. He is not to be found in Domesday; but his grandson Sir William, who witnessed Matilda de Percy's charter of Salley Abbey, appears in the Liber Niger as a considerable land-owner in Yorkshire, and was seated at Hazelwood, near Tadcaster, still the home of his representatives." 1

Early Origins of the Vavsour family

The surname Vavsour was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat anciently, after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They were originally from Le Vavassour in Normandy. "Sir Mauler le Vavasour, the Norman, is mentioned in Domesday Book, as holding in chief of the Percys, Earls of Northumberland, considerable manors and estates in Stutton, Eselwood, Saxhall, &c." 2

The township of Spaldington in the East Riding of Yorkshire was an ancient home to the family. "Spaldington Hall, the seat of the ancient family of Vavasour, and a fine specimen of the Elizabethan style, was taken down in 1838." 3

The township of Willitoft, again in the East Riding of Yorkshire has another early listing for the family. "This place was formerly the residence of the Vavasour family; it is now the property of Colonel Wyndham, who is lord of the manor." 3

Early History of the Vavsour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vavsour research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1299, 1440, 1478, 1483, 1485, 1495, 1506 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Vavsour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vavsour 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 Vavasour, Vavasor, Vavazor and others.

Early Notables of the Vavsour family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vavsour Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vavsour 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 Vavsour or a variant listed above: James Vavasor settled in St. John's Newfoundland in 1813; James Vavasour from Dorset arrived with his parents in Tilt Cove, Newfoundland in 1850; Ann Vavasor settled in Virginia in 1699..

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.