REVEL

The surname Revel is of French origin and its earliest recorded instances date from the late twelfth century. While it has persisted across generations, its exact interpretation has varied according to context and geography.

In its linguistic roots the name may derive from the French verb révéler “to reveal” or “to unveil,” suggesting that an ancestor was known for disclosing information or secrets. A second possibility is a derivation from the word ravel, meaning “to tangle” or “to confuse,” which could indicate a person prone to creating perplexity or disorder. In a more geographic sense, Revel can be a locational surname originating from the town of Revel in southwestern France, while in northern Europe it has also been linked to the Old French term for a barn, indicating an occupational or topographical linkage to grain storage.

The name entered medieval England through several paths. In the early Middle Ages it was used as a nickname for a fun‑loving, boisterous individual, drawn from the Middle English and Old French word revel “festivity, tumult or riot,” itself derived from the Latin rebellare “to rebel.” The style is exemplified in the 1154 Danelaw document recording Revel de Tetenia, and later the surname appears in Yorkshire from the late fourteenth century with variants such as Revell, Revill and Reavell.

Documentary evidence for the name grows in the reign of Henry XI. The earliest known spelling is that of Robert Revel in 1177 within the Pipe Rolls of Essex, during the period when the king is remembered as “The Builder of Churches.” Within the same century a notable bearer, Sir Richard Revell or Rivell, who held the office of Sheriff of Devonshire and Cornwall under Richard I, died in 1222.

Throughout the English‑speaking world the name spread further, especially within Yorkshire where the 1590 marriage of Margaret Revill to Robert Cawthorne in Rotherham, Yorkshire, is recorded. In the nineteenth century the name also appears in Scotland, often as Revell or Revill, reflecting the migratory movements of the period.

The heraldic device most commonly associated with the family is an ermine shield featuring a red chevron charged with three golden mullets and a sable engrailed border. The crest displays a cubit arm in armour holding a lion’s paw erased all proper, symbolising both martial readiness and noble authority.

In contemporary times the surname can be found across many nations. It remains common in France and in other Francophone countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec and Canada, as well as in the United States where many Americans of French descent carry the name. In 1992 the French government granted the Revel family the title of “Noble” in recognition of their service, a distinction still upheld today. Commercial, philanthropic, artistic and sporting achievements by members of the family continue to reinforce its reputation for hard work and integrity.

The range of recognised spellings is extensive and reflects both phonetic adaptation and regional dialect. Known variants include Revill, Raevell, Ravell, Ravel, Revelle, Revels, Revill and Reavell, among others. Such diversity underscores the widespread adoption of the name across England, France, Germany, Spain, Hungary and beyond, making it a surname with both deep roots and broad reach.

Typical given names associated with the Revel surname

Male

• Alan
• Andrew
• Brian
• Clive
• Colin
• David
• Francis
• Gavin
• Graham
• Mark
• Matthew
• Paul
• Raymond

Female

• Agnes
• Amanda
• Barbara
• Heloise
• Hilary
• Jean
• Louise
• Margaret
• Sharon
• Sheila
• Susan
• Trudie

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 Revel in...

Braille

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Morse

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Semaphore

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Revel

• Harry Revel - Songwriter (1905 to 1958)

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.

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