Contents [hide]

Neville History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Neville History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Neville

What does the name Neville mean?

The name Neville was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Neville family lived in Durham. Their name, however, is a reference to Neuville, Sur Touques of Orne in the canton of Gacey, Normandy. "This family descended from Baldric Teutonicus, who with his brother Wiger came to Normandy c.900 to offer his service to the Duke. From him descend the families Neville, Courcy and others." 1

Early Origins of the Neville family

The surname Neville was first found in Durham where they claim descent from Gilbert de Nevil, the companion in arms of the William the Conqueror who many believe was the Duke's Admiral but there is no mention of him in the Domesday Book. 2

Another early record shows Ranulph de Nevill of Raby, Durham, being summoned to Parliament as a Baron on June 8, 1294. Ralph Neville (died 1244) served as Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of Chichester and was Archbishop of Canterbury elect from 1231 to 1232.

Wargrave in Berkshire was home to another branch of the family. "The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £13. 13. 6½., and in the gift of the lord of the manor and impropriator, Lord Braybrooke, to whose ancestor, Sir Henry Nevill, the Billingbear estates, and the hundred of Wargrave, anciently attached to the see of Winchester, were granted by Edward VI." 3

Another branch of the family was found at Dalton-Piercy in Durham. "In 1370, Henry, Lord Percy, sold this manor to Sir John Nevile, of Raby; and it remained with the descendants of that proprietor until the forfeiture by the family, since which time the lands have been divided." 3

"[Liversedge in the West Riding of Yorkshire] was anciently the property of the Neville family, lords of the manor, of whose mansion, Liversedge Hall, there are still some slight remains." 3

Early History of the Neville family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neville research. Another 259 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1200, 1364, 1379, 1385, 1388, 1397, 1425, 1426, 1428, 1431, 1461, 1470, 1471, 1615, 1620, 1625, 1631, 1651, 1655, 1661, 1668, 1675, 1676, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1692, 1694, 1697, 1712, 1717 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Neville History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neville Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Neville, Navelle, Nevile, Nevil, Nevill and others.

Early Notables of the Neville family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Richard Neville (1428-1471), who became the 16th Earl of Warwick, through his mother, a countess. He was known as the "Kingmaker" as he played a large role in putting Edward IV on the throne in 1461...
His younger brother, John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu KG (1431-1471) was a major magnate of fifteenth-century England
Sir Thomas Nevill, 1st Baronet (c. 1625-1712), of Holt in Leicestershire, held a Baronetage of England created on 25 May 1661; Sir Edward Nevill, 1st Baronet (c. 1651-1685) of Grove in Nottinghamshire...
Sir Christopher Nevile (ca. 1631-1692), of Haddington, Aubourn, Lincolnshire, was an English Member of Parliament, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire for 1680-1681. Henry Neville (1620-1694) was an English...
John Nevell, Neville, Nevill or Nevil, (died 1697), was an English Vice Admiral from St. Margaret's, Westminster, Middlesex who spent most of his career in the Americas living in Virginia. He died the...

Neville World Ranking

In the United States, the name Neville is the 3,372^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Neville is ranked the 535^th most popular surname with an estimated 86 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Neville is the 871^st popular surname with an estimated 4,545 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Neville family to Ireland

Some of the Neville family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neville migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Neville or a variant listed above:

Neville Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Neville, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
James Neville, who landed in Texas in 1835 7
Charles Cecil Neville, who landed in New York in 1840 7
Thomas Neville, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1847 7
J Neville, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neville migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neville Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Edward Neville U.E. who settled in Western District [The townships of Essex County and Kent County], Ontario c. 1784 8

Neville Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Neville, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Lady Douglas" from New Ross
William Neville, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843
Ms. Ann Neville, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wandsworth" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in May 1847 9
Mr. John Neville, aged 1 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 9
Miss. Mary Neville, aged 1 year & 6 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neville migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Neville Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Neville, a carpenter, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Susannah Jarvis Neville, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Buffalo" in 1836 10
Richard Neville, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Buffalo" in 1836 10
Mr. James Neville, (b. 1822), aged 14, Irish farm boy who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Thomas Neville, (b. 1814), aged 24, English labourer who was convicted in Bristol, England for life for cutting and wounding a policeman, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Neville migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Neville Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles V. Neville, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th February 1856 13
Mr. Charles Neville, (b. 1855), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 13
Mr. Samuel Neville, (b. 1822), aged 34, English settler born in Essex travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 13
Mrs. Sarah Neville, (b. 1824), aged 32, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 13
Mr. Samuel Munson Neville, (b. 1845), aged 11, English settler born in Essex travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Neville (post 1700) +

Arthur Lanon "Art" Neville (1937-2019), American singer, songwriter and keyboardist from New Orleans
Charles Neville (1938-2018), American Grammy Award winning R&B and jazz musician best known as part of The Neville Brothers
Wendell Cushing Neville (1870-1930), American Major General, Medal of Honor recipient, 14th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1929 to 1930)
Keith Neville (1884-1959), American Nebraska Democratic politician, 18th Governor of Nebraska
Joseph Neville (1730-1819), American politician who represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from (1793 to 1795)
John Neville (1731-1803), American military officer, land speculator, and state official
Ivan Neville (b. 1959), American musician
Emily Cheney Neville (1919-1997), American author, recipient of the Newbery Medal (1964)
Cyril Neville (b. 1948), American musician
Art Neville (b. 1937), American singer and keyboardist
... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Neville family +

Halifax Explosion

Miss Mary Neville (1867-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14

HMS Cornwall

Frederick Richard James Neville (d. 1942), British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 15

HMS Dorsetshire

Norman Reginald Neville (d. 1945), British Ordinary Telegraphist aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 16

HMS Hood

Mr. William A Neville (b. 1910), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 17

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Neville, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 18

HMS Repulse

Mr. James J Neville, British Leading Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 19

HMS Royal Oak

Percy Neville, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 20

RMS Lusitania

Miss Muriel Neville, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
Miss Evelyn Neville, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
Mr. Albert Charles Neville, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
Master Charles Neville, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
Mrs. Mabel Neville, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 21

USS Indianapolis

Bobby Gene Neville, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 22

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 50)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HMS BUFFALO 1836. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1836Buffalo.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-grey
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew