Surname Umfreville - Meaning and Origin
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Umfreville: What does the surname Umfreville mean?
Umfreville is a surname of Norman origin. It is likely derived from the place name "Umfraville", which is believed to be located in Normandy, France - thus making it a geographical surname. This type of surname was often given to individuals to denote where they originated, or to a person who had moved or relocated and was identified by the name of their origin.
While the exact meaning of Umfreville has not been definitively established, it can be broken down into two possible French words: "umfre" and "ville". In French, "ville" translates to a town or city. The meaning of "umfre" is unclear and may have been distinct to the Norman dialect or a specific location in Normandy.
Various records indicate that individuals with Umfreville surname have historical ties to both France and England, being frequently noted in medieval records following the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Like other Norman names, it likely represents a lineage linked to the early medieval period, attesting to the deep-rooted history of this surname. However, the exact meaning of Umfreville may have been lost to time, leading to variations and conjectures based on etymology and historical interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisUmfreville: Where does the name Umfreville come from?
The surname Umfreville is of French origin, deriving from one of several places called 'Amfreville' in France. This place name is derived from the Old French elements "ham" meaning homestead and "fred" meaning peace. Most famously, the Umfrevilles were an Anglo-Norman noble family in the high medieval period with lands in Northumberland, England. Robert d'Umfreville, who was a vassal of Roger of Montgomery, introduced this surname to England in the 11th century. The Umfrevilles were notable landholders in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Owing to migration and the passing of time, this surname is, however, now rather rare and it is not concentrated in any particular region around the world. The most likely places to find bearers of this surname would likely be England or countries with significant English influence or immigration history like the United States, Canada, or Australia. As with many other rare surnames, it may also be scattered around the globe due to general population movement over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Umfreville
The surname Umfreville is thought to originate from the Normandy region in Northern France. The name could have been altered or slightly changed due to regional accents and spelling variations over the centuries.
Possible variants and alternate spellings of the surname could include Umfraville, Umphraville, Umfrville, Umferville, Umfreaville, and Umphreville. Some shorter or simplified versions might be Umville, Umsville, Umfray, or Umfrey.
It's also possible that the name evolved differently in other languages or regions, such as Umfrevilla in Spanish or Umfrevillein in German.
These examples are hypothetical, and specific research into genealogical and historical records would be necessary to verify actual variants and spellings of the surname Umfreville.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, families who lived in the same region of Normandy would likely have surnames of the same origin. This could include names like Aquitaine, Bourbon, Beauvais, and Dreux. Again, specific research should be conducted to draw definitive connections.
Famous people with the name Umfreville
- Elizabeth Umfreville: Elizabeth Umfreville was one of the first women to serve on the board of the Hudson's Bay Company and was instrumental in the development of the North American fur trade.
- Edward Umfreville: Edward Umfreville was a French-born, British-American explorer and fur trader who served in the French and Indian War and later explored much of the Great Lakes region.
- George Umfreville: George Umfreville was a major figure in the history of the Canadian-American borderlands, having served in the British Army during the American Revolution and later travelling extensively throughout North America.
- Philip Umfreville: Philip Umfreville was a British-born fur trader and military officer who served in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. He was later appointed as the Indian Agent for the North West Company, a position he held until his death.
- John Umfreville: John Umfreville was a British-born fur trader and mapmaker who travelled throughout the Great Lakes region in the late 1700s. He drew many detailed maps of the area, which were later used by other explorers and settlers.
- Francis Umfreville: Francis Umfreville was a British-born military officer and later a member of the Indian Department. He also served as Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, and was responsible for the organization of many of the fur trading posts in Canada.
- William Umfreville: William Umfreville was a British-born military officer and later Surveyor-General of the Hudson's Bay Company. He was also responsible for surveying much of what is now Ontario and Quebec.