AVIS
Avis is a surname of English origin with Germanic roots, situated within the linguistic heritage of the British Isles and recorded in England from the thirteenth century.
The surname is associated with several etymological pathways. In Middle English the word avis meant “bird,” and a person who displayed characteristics likened to a bird might have been nicknamed Avis. The surname could also have arisen as a topographic designation for someone who dwelt near a prominent birds' nest or a bird sanctuary.
Another possibility is that the name was patronymic, derived from the given name Avice. Avice itself is a shortened form of the ancient Germanic name Avis, meaning “desired” or “wished for.” Consequently, the surname remains linked to avian symbolism and to ideals of aspiration.
Variant spellings such as Aves, Aviss, Aveson and Avison appear in medieval records, yet today only Avis and, less frequently, Avice are in use. The name was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and evolved from the personal name Haduwig (modern German Hedwig), meaning “refuge in war.” Through linguistic transformations the name was rendered as Edwige in French, Havoise in the Norman dialect, and eventually shortened through the forms Havoisia, Avicia, and Avice before arriving at Avis.
Historical evidence of the surname dates to the later part of the twelfth century. The first documented instance appears in the Register of St. Benet of Holme, Norfolk (1186) under the name Walter Auices, during the reign of King Henry XI. Other early attestations include a Thomas Avyce mentioned in the Book of Fees of Berkshire (1220) and a Thomas Avis listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk (1524). The surname also appears in London church registers, for example the christening of Richard, son of Roger and Sarah Aves, on October 12th 1655 at Allhallows the Less, and the marriage of Edmund Aves and Sarah Morgane on January 5th 1692 at St. James, Duke's Place.
The heraldic device traditionally associated with the Avis family is a blue shield charged with three gold wheat sheaves, and a crest depicting a dexter hand, vested and cuffed, holding an anchor. This insignia is recorded in families' genealogical histories and is frequently cited in armorial registers.
Typical given names associated with the Avis surname
Male
- Christopher
- Colin
- David
- John
- Mark
- Martin
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Barbara
- Christine
- Elaine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Joanne
- Linda
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Susan
- Zoey
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Avis in...
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There are approximately 2,248 people named Avis in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,821st most common surname in Britain. Around 35 in a million people in Britain are named Avis.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Avis
- Paul Avis - Theologian
- Vernon Avis - Football player (1935 to 1)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.