Surname Kevil - Meaning and Origin

Kevil: What does the surname Kevil mean?

The last name Kevil is of English origin, most commonly found in the southern regions of England, and is believed to be derived from the old English personal name Ceva or Cyva, meaning ‘treasure.’ It is also taken from the old French given name Ceville, which could be derived from the Latin name Cecil or Cecilius.

The Kevil surname can be traced back as far as the 1300s in England, and records of the family can be found in local records across the country. Kevil is an unusual name and was more often used as a first name rather than a surname. While there is much research still being done on the meaning and origin of the Kevil name, it is likely that the surname was originally derived from a personal name, with ‘Ceva’ or ‘Ceville’ being the most common.

The Kevil surname is not especially common in the United States, but a few Kevil families did migrate to America in the 1800s and 2000s to seek better opportunities for work and family. It is likely that those bearing the Kevil surname today are descendants of these immigrants, who brought the Kevil name with them to their new homes in the US.

Despite its unusual spelling, the last name Kevil has a long and interesting history that can be traced back to England in the 1300s, with the name meaning ‘treasure.’

Kevil: Where does the name Kevil come from?

The last name Kevil is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the South and Midwest regions. Many people with the surname Kevil also live throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Kevil surname has several potential origins. In some cases, it is a variant of the German surname Kiefel, which is derived from the German word for “fir tree.” In England, Kevil may have originated from the old English 'caefel,' meaning "believed one." In many Gaelic languages, Kevil is derived from various translations of the word "son of" or "descendant of."

In the United States, the Kevil surname first appears in records from several hundred years ago. For example, a German settler who arrived in America was recorded as John Jacob Kievel, or Kevil, in 1748. One of the earliest settlers in the Appalachian Mountains was one Harris Kevil, who traveled from Virginia to bury his father in Kentucky in 1795.

Today, people with the Kevil surname can be found throughout the United States. In addition, many of the Kevil descendants have spread throughout the rest of the world. The Kevil family may have origins in many different locations, but they have a common heritage and an interesting story to tell.

Variations of the surname Kevil

The surname Kevil is a variant of the surnames Kevil or Kevil(l), as well as several rarer spellings including Keavil, Kevill, Kevyll, Kewill, Kivill, Kivell, Kiville, Kivelle and McCavil.

The surname is of Cornish origin, derived from the Old Cornish ‘keu’, meaning 'wood'. It is believed to have been derived from the small hamlet of Kevil, which was located in the tiny county of St. Austell. Most Kevils likely take their name from this place. However, there were some Kevils that diverged from the original family, and changed their surnames to Evans, Bevil, or other variants.

Kevils of Scottish descent were likely named after Hugh de Keils, who was awarded lands in 1097 by William the Lion, King of Scotland, for loyal service.

The name Kevil can also be found in several non-English countries, including Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. This may be because of migration of British settlers to those countries, or immigrants from those countries taking the name upon their arrival in Britain.

The Kevils may have also acquired their surname from an occupation. In Welsh and Cornish, ‘kevil’ means 'woodworker', and in Old English ‘Kevil’ meant 'maker of arrows'. It is possible that these Kevils were named after an ancestor who worked as an arrow maker or carpenter.

Kevil is an uncommon name, and there are few bearers of the name today. Nevertheless, its variants continue to be popular in many areas around the world.

Famous people with the name Kevil

• Zach Kevil: an American actor, producer and screenwriter best known for his performance in Emmy and Golden Globe winning series Chernobyl.
• Chris Kevil: a British writer, director and producer who’s work has been featured in television shows such as Killing Eve and Robin Hood.
• Jason Kevil: an American musician and songwriter who has released several acclaimed albums.
• Kelly Kevil: an artist and illustrator who has exhibited her work in a variety of galleries around the United States.
• Dan Kevil: an award-winning chef with several Michelin-starred restaurants to his name.
• Will Kevil: an American actor, known for his roles in the TV series The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul.
• Neil Kevil: a British artist whose work has been featured in collections around the world.
• Byanca Kevil: a Brazilian model who has been featured on the cover of Vogue Portugal.
• Alli Kevil: an American entrepreneur with an impressive track record of startups and investments.
• Julie Kevil: a Canadian professor of literature and culture with a PHD in Comparative Literature.

Other surnames

Keville