Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
AVIS
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
Avis, in French, is a projector, schemer, busy-body. Avus, Latin, a grandfather, ancestor. Avis, a bird.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
BE AVIS. See Bevis.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
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