Surname Averill - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Averill: What does the surname Averill mean?
The surname Averill is of Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning "dweller at the spring farm." The name is derived from two Old English elements: "æfre," meaning "always" or “spring,” and "hyll," meaning "hill." The original form of the name was likely "Aefre-hyll." Over time, this evolved into Averill, with various spelling alterations such as Averhill, Everyll, Averyll, etc. The name implies that the original bearers of Averill resided in or near such a location. It is also associated with the region of Avrillé in France. It is important to note that many surnames of Anglo-Saxon origin refer to familial habitation or topographical features present in their geographic locality.
Order DNA origin analysisAverill: Where does the name Averill come from?
The surname Averill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a rich and interesting history. It originated in the region of Yorkshire, England, derived from the Old English personal name "Eoforheall". It loosely translates to "boar's hill" or "wild boar's hill". The name was popular in medieval England and was given to individuals residing near such a landmark. As surnames became hereditary, it was passed down through generations.
The name Averill later spread to other parts of the British Isles, and with the expansion of the British Empire, it was taken to colonies worldwide. Today, it is found globally, but is most common in English-speaking countries. Within the United States, it is particularly prevalent in areas with historical ties to England, like the northeastern states. It is also found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite its dispersal, the surname Averill relatively less common compared to other English-origin surnames.
Variations of the surname Averill
The surname Averill has multiple variants and spellings, including Avrill, Averil, Averell, Averyll, Avrell, and Avril. These variations likely arose due to changes in language and transcription errors over time, as the surname has Anglo-Saxon origins.
Another related surname is Averill-Allen, which seems to be a combination of Averill with the surname Allen. This type of surname could result from intermarriage, tradition, or personal preference.
Additionally, some surnames might be variants of Averill due to a shared origin. The name comes from Aelfhere, an ancient Saxon name that means "elf army". Variants or translations of this name could also be similar to Averill.
The name Averill might also be connected to the geographical location of a place named Averill, such as in Vermont, United States, or in the United Kingdom. It's also possible that people who lived in such a place adopted the name of the place as their surname or it was attributed to them based on their place of origin or residence.
It's important to note that surnames can vary greatly, even when they have a common origin, due to the numerous factors such as regional dialects, historical events, cultural influences, and personal choices.
Famous people with the name Averill
- Earl Douglas Averill: An American professional baseball player who performed as a center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1929 to 1941. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.
- Howard Earl Averill: An American professional baseball player and son of Earl Douglas Averill. He performed as the catcher in Major League Baseball from 1956 to 1963.
- John Thomas Averill: An American soldier, businessman, and politician who served as the U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 1871.
- Alfred Averill: An English-born religious leader who served as the Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand from 1925 to 1940.
- William Yorke Atlee Averill: An American diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the African countries Côte d'Ivoire, Comoros, and Gabon in the late 20th century.
- Sam Averill: An American composer and conductor best known for his works in classical music.
- Elsie Averill: An Australian singer and music teacher known for her work in the mid-20th century.
- Sidney Averill: An Anglican Bishop who served in New Zealand in the mid-20th century. He was the Bishop of Waiapu.