Surname Reveley - Meaning and Origin
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Reveley: What does the surname Reveley mean?
The surname Reveley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a locational surname, meaning it is based on a person's residence or place of origin. It originates from places named Reveley in Northumberland or Reavley in Lincolnshire. The name itself carries a meaning of "Robber's Wood" or "Woodland Clearing," derived from the old English elements "rēafere" (robber) and "lēah" (woodland clearing). Like other locational surnames, it was usually adopted by those who migrated from their birthplace to seek work elsewhere and would be identified by the name of their birthplace. Variations of the surname include Revely, Revell, Revelley, and others. Today, the Reveley surname is found in many parts of the world due to the movements and migrations of families over time.
Order DNA origin analysisReveley: Where does the name Reveley come from?
The surname Reveley is a British name, and is most commonly found today in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, due to the country's long history of migration, the name Reveley can also be found in many other countries around the world. In the United States and Canada, those with the name Reveley may have either British ancestry or be descendants of more recent arrivals from Britain. Australia and New Zealand also have a much lower, but growing, number of Reveleys.
In addition, there are a few other countries around the world that have sizable populations of Reveleys. The Republic of Ireland has a large number of Reveleys, as do India, the Philippines, and South Africa. People with the surname Reveley can also be found in a wide variety of other countries, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, and numerous Caribbean islands.
The surname Reveley, is quite rare, so those who bear the name can feel a certain bond of kinship no matter where they are in the world.
Variations of the surname Reveley
The surname Reveley is of English origin, deriving from various local origins. It is believed to have originated from places with the name Revel, Revels, Revelle and Revelley in England. Variations include Revel, Revelle, Revell and Revill and spellings such as Revell, Rivell, and Ryvell. It is also found as a patronymic surname in these forms, i.e. Revells, Revelsons and Revelsons.
The surname has appeared in the records under various forms during the centuries. It has been spelled Revel, Ravell, Ravel, Revell, Revil, Rivill, Rivillle, Rivel, Ryvell and many more. It is thought that the name is derived from an Old French word ‘ravele’, which has the meaning ‘clean-shaven’.
Variations of the name include Ravell, Ravello, Ravill, Rayvell, Reavill, Reaville, Reevill, Revill, Revvin, Ryvele, but the most common variant is Revell. This became a common English surname in the western part of the country, mainly in Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.
The Reveley family can be found in English documents from the beginning of the 13th century. Notable people who have the surname Reveley include William Reveley, a 17th-century English Baroque artist; Thomas Reveley, a historian; William Reveley, a 19th-century Anglican minister; and Benjamin Reveley, a British market gardener.
Famous people with the name Reveley
- Mike Reveley: Mike Reveley is a British racing driver who began his career in 1961. He is best known for winning the non-championship 1964 Daily Mirror Trophy, and for taking part in Formula One races between 1964 and 1965.
- John Reveley: John Reveley is a British thoroughbred racehorse trainer, based at Greenfields Stables in Lambourn, UK. He has trained some of the most successful horses in the history of racing, including Oh So Sharp, Lawn Chief, and The Big Sleep.
- Major Lawrence Reveley: Major Lawrence Reveley was a British soldier, Officer of the Legion of Honour, and recipient of the Victoria Cross. He was awarded the VC for his actions at the siege of Constantine in May 1836.
- Catherine Reveley: Catherine Reveley is a British stage and television actress. She is best known for her roles in the British soap operas EastEnders and Casualty.
- Roberta Reveley: Roberta Reveley is a British photographer and Emmy Award winner. She is best known for her work in documentary and contemporary portraiture. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in Europe and the US.
- Eric Reveley: Eric Reveley is a British banker and investor. He was the inaugural Chairman of Capidefi and has been a director of many investment banks throughout Europe. He is also the founder of FinComBank, one of the foremost investment banks in Eastern Europe.