Viell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Viell

What does the name Viell mean?

The name Viell reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Viell is for a calf-heard which was in turn derived from the Old French word veel, meaning calf.

Early Origins of the Viell family

The surname Viell was first found in Gloucestershire where two knights by the name De Vile were honored in the Honour Roll of Battle Abbey in 1066 and were granted lands in that shire.

In later years, to the far south in Cornwall another branch of the family was found. "Trevayler, in [the parish of Gulval], is the property and residence of the Rev. William Veale, in whose family it has long been vested. This gentleman has considerable property in Gulval." 1

Early History of the Viell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Viell research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Viell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Viell Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Viell are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Viell include Veale, Veal, Viall, Vile, Viell and others.

Early Notables of the Viell family

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

Migration of the Viell family to Ireland

Some of the Viell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Viell family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Viell, or a variant listed above: James and Ann Veal settled in Portland, Me, in 1820; with Margaret, John; Jane Veale settled in Virginia in 1636; Christopher Veale settled in Virginia in 1663..

Sources +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print