This unusual and interesting surname derives from the Norman personal name "Ivo", a short form of any of the various Germanic compound names with a first element "iv", from the Old Norse "yr", plural "ifar" meaning yew, bow, a weapon generally made from the supple wood of the yew tree. The name was introduced into England at the time of the Conquest, and enjoyed great popularity, reinforced by such bearers of the name as St. Ivo, Bishop of Chartres, and a 13th Century Breton, St. Ivo, who became the patron saint of lawyers.
St. Ives in Cambridgeshire takes its name from the church dedicated to a legendary Persian bishop, said to have lived there as a hermit. St. Ives, in Cornwall, however, is named from a 5th Century female Irish saint. "Ives" is the patronymic form of the name Ive, the "s" meaning son of. The surname dates back to the late 12th Century (see below), and early recordings include John Ives (1327) in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. London Church Records list the christening of Joyce, daughter of Richarde Ives, on January 24th 1588 at St. Giles, Cripplegate. A Coat of Arms granted to an Ives family is silver, a black chevron between three blackamoors' heads couped proper. The Crest is a boar passant proper, gold collared and chained. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Yuo, which was dated 1175, in the "Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname ives is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of ives. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of ives.
It is common for surnames like ives to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.
The historical journey of the surname ives can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of ives. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname ives.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname ives, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all ivess who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. If you or someone you know bears the surname ives, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname ives who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname ives. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of ives.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of ives, and at the same time, of surnames in general.