Show ContentsVival History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Vival is one of the many new names that came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Vival family lived in Yorkshire, at Wyvill, a parish, in the union of Grantham, wapentake of Loveden. 1

Early Origins of the Vival family

The surname Vival was first found in Yorkshire where "this ancient Norman family is said to be descended from Sir Humphry de Wyvill, who lived at the time of the Conquest, and whose descendants were seated at Slingsby in the county." 2

"Sir Humpbrey d'Wyvill, of the family of Vienville of Normandy, was the Norman thus indicated on the Battle Roll. He acquired a fair share of the spoils of conquest, and seated himself in Yorkshire, where his descendants, the Wyvills of Constable Burton, now represented by Marmaduke Wyvill, Esq., remain to this day. A Baronetcy exists in the family, but is not assumed." 3

"This place, at the time of the Conquest, belonged to the Lacy family; and afterwards to the Mowbrays, who had a castle here. The Wyville family, the Knights Templars, and others, held lands under the Mowbrays; and the castle subsequently became the property of the noble family of Hastings, who are supposed to have rebuilt it. William, the great Lord Hastings, was beheaded by Richard III., and was succeeded here by his son Edward, who by will in 1497 directed Slingsby to be sold." 1

Early History of the Vival family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vival research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1542, 1614, 1617, 1620, 1645, 1648, 1666, 1681, 1684, 1692, 1722, 1740, 1754 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Vival History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vival Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Wyville, Wyfield and others.

Early Notables of the Vival family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was the Wyvill Baronetcy, of Constable Burton in the County of York which included: Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 1st Baronet (c. 1542-1617); Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 2nd Baronet (died c. 1648); Sir Christopher Wyvill, 3rd Baronet (1614-1681); Sir...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vival Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Vival family to Ireland

Some of the Vival 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 Vival family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Vival name or one of its variants: Phillip Wiyfield who settled in Virginia in 1660.



The Vival Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Par la volonté de Dieu
Motto Translation: By the will of God.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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