Surname Peverel - Meaning and Origin
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Peverel: What does the surname Peverel mean?
Peverel is an Anglo-Norman surname of Old French origin. It comes from the Old French "Peveril" which is a diminutive form of "Pére," meaning "pear." Therefore, Peverel possibly holds an occupational meaning referring to a grower or seller of pears. Another interpretation says that Peverel might refer to a geographical location, originally bestowed on a person who lived near a pear tree or pear orchard. Moreover, it's known in English history due to William Peverel, a Norman knight who supported William the Conqueror and was subsequently rewarded with extensive lands in England. Despite these interpretations, the exact meaning and origin of the last name Peverel remain uncertain.
Order DNA origin analysisPeverel: Where does the name Peverel come from?
The last name Peverel is of Anglo-Norman origin and is found most commonly in the United Kingdom and Ireland today. In England, it is mainly found around the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, while in Ireland it is mainly found around the counties of Dublin, Cork, and Tipperary. Outside of these countries, the name can be found in other countries with a colonial past including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Peverel is believed to have been derived from the French Picardie family name le Peverell, as many of the French aristocracy who arrived in England during the Norman Conquest bore this name. It was introduced to England by one of William the Conqueror’s most powerful Barons, Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare, lord of the manor of Clare in Suffolk, whose wife Rohese de Dumaresq brought her family name de Peverell into England.
The name can also be seen in a few place names around ancient England. These include Peveril Point on the Isle of Wight, and Peverel Court built in the 1500s by Roger Peverel, which still stands in Stanstead Abbotts in Hertfordshire.
The Peverel name has maintained close connections over the centuries with many influential figures in British politics, the military, and the aristocracy. Notable Peverels include the late Richard Peverel, former ambassador to the Vatican, and Sir Edgar Peverel, former Graines de Musketeer in the British Army.
Variations of the surname Peverel
The surname Peverel is thought to have originated in Normandy, France, with varieties of this name being found in both the British Isles and France. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "pevrier", meaning "pear tree". In the Middle Ages, the word was typically used to refer to a family of wealthy land-owners or the lord of the manor. Examples of spellings of the Peverel surname include Peveril, Peverall, Peverell, Peveral, Peverill, and Peverelle, with surnames such as Pevril, Pevireal, and Pieverelle variant spellings of the same origin.
In the British Isles, the most common spelling is Peverell. This was first recorded in England in 1086 in the Domesday Book. Notable members of this family include William Peverell the Elder, who is said to have been a companion-in-arms of William the Conqueror, and William Peverell the Younger, an astute lawyer in the early twelfth century.
The De Peveril variant of the surname is more prevalent in France. This spelling dates back to as early as 1205, when it was first recorded in the city of Le Mans. Similarly, the spelling Pevrel is found mainly in France, with the first recorded occurrence in 1256 in the town of St. Germain de Pres.
The Peverel name can sometimes take the form of Perevel or Pervel. It has become a popular addition to many French surnames, such as Le Perevel and globetrotting adventurer Pierre Petit de Pérevel.
Lastly, it is important to note that the surname can occasionally be confused with the similar-sounding surname Peverley. This surname is believed to have arisen in England, thought to have derived from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name Pefer or Pyfyr, combined with the Old Norse "lei" meaning "woodland clearing". While their common path may once have crossed, these two surnames are of different origins.
Famous people with the name Peverel
- William Peverell: Former Norman Baron & Builder of Nottingham Castle in 1113.
- Roger Peverell: 11th century Norman Lord of Tickhill Castle located in England.
- Shu Peverell: English cricketer who played in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Nan Peverell: English botanist who coauthored several books on flora in the 19th century.
- John Peverell: Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire.
- Charles Peverell: Artist in the 17th century.
- Paul Peverell: Early 19th century English philosopher and clergyman.
- Edmund Peverell: English composer from the 16th century.
- William Peverell: Son of Roger and Lord of Tickhill Castle.
- Elizabeth Peverell: Daughter of William and English noblewoman of the 11th century.