Surname Traviss - Meaning and Origin

Traviss: What does the surname Traviss mean?

The surname Traviss is of English origin and is believed to be a geographical or occupational name. It is derived from the Old French word "travers" which means "to cross". This was often used to denote someone who lived near a bridge or a ford, or possibly a toll collector who took payments for people to cross over bridges or fords. Like many surnames, over time and with variations in language and spelling, "travers" evolved into Traviss. Some records also suggest that this surname could have been assigned to a person who lived by a crossroad or an intersection. Early records of this surname can be found in medieval English documents in various forms including Travers, Travis, Traviss, and others. Therefore, the surname Traviss, like many surnames, gives indication to either an ancestor's location or their occupation.

Traviss: Where does the name Traviss come from?

The surname Traviss is most commonly associated with the English-speaking world, especially in England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is derived from a Norman French surname of the same spelling which originated from a place name Trévise in Seine-et-Oise, Normandy.

The family name was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat some time before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is believed that a Norman knight, William Trembleville accompanied William, Duke of Normandy, to the Battle of Hastings.

In North America, the surname Traviss appears to be most widespread in the United States, where it is estimated that about 49,600 people bear the surname. Others can be found in Canada, where it is estimated that about 6,500 people carry the surname. In England, the surname had a particularly strong presence in Devon, Nottinghamshire, and Lancashire, as well as in many other counties, which is indicative of migration from the homeland.

In Australia, the name is particularly concentrated in South Australia, with numbers also being present in New South Wales and Victoria. There are also notable numbers in New Zealand.

Today, the surname Traviss is found in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Traviss

The surname Traviss has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Travers, Traverse, Treviss, Travise, Travey, and Trevis.

The surname Travers is taken from the Old French word traverser, meaning “for an area of land to cross”, and was most likely derived from a location such as a bridge or waterway, or an area of land along a river where it was thought to have been crossed.

Treviss is a variation of Travers and is most commonly seen in Wales. It is thought to have been an adaptation of the surname Travers to fit with the Welsh language.

Travise is another variation of the surname, and is thought to have derived from a French spelling. It likely originated in Eastern England and was adopted by families living in the region.

The spelling Travey likely originated in France and is derived from the word traverser. It is believed to have been adopted by families who had French connections.

The spelling Trevis is derived from the Latin term travessere, which is thought to have originated in Northern France and is related to the root of the surname Travers. It is likely to have been adopted by families who lived in Normandy.

In summary, the surname Traviss holds multiple genealogical paths. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be traced to a variety of regions, including France, Wales, and Normandy.

Famous people with the name Traviss

• Kirsten Traviss: an award-winning science-fiction and fantasy author and screenwriter, well known for writing Star Wars novels.
• Mark Traviss: a former stuntman, now an actor who has appeared in various films and television shows, most notably as the character Sgt. Evans in the 2006 science fiction film DOOM.
• Kasey Traviss: a former Major at the British Army and an author, writing under her own name as well as her pseudonym named Paul Dale Smith.
• Ben Traviss: a British songwriter, vocalist, and musician who has worked with various bands and musicians, including Kylie Minogue, La Roux, Sugababes, Little Mix, Olly Murs, and many more.
• Jim Traviss: a spoken word artist and actor, best known for his interest in First Nations and Aboriginal/Cultural Conventions in the Canadian art world, and now grown to a global scope.
• Fanny Traviss: a London-based producer and songwriter who specialises in electronic music, and writes for artists including Kylie Minogue, La Roux, Little Mix, and Sugababes.
• John Traviss: a former professional footballer who played in the Premier League for both Arsenal and West Ham United.
• Kal Traviss: an actor and director best known for his work in the ensemble cast of the hit series Death In Paradise, as well as scripts written for both stage and screen.
• Anne Marie Traviss: an American actress who rose to fame for her leading role in the 2002 Oscar-winning drama Monsters, directed by J. J. Abrams.

Other surnames

Travis