Aves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Aves surname is derived from the Middle English/Old French given name Avice of uncertain origins, but interestingly one source noted that it is from “the personal name Avice, Latinized Avitius, found before 1086. (Domesday Book).” [1]

Early Origins of the Aves family

The surname Aves was first found in Southeast England. There is a record of a person called “Auicia” in Parish records of St. Benet of Holme, Norfolk in circa 1175-86; and another of this name in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1199. Ricardus filius Avice was on record in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1332. [2]

Early History of the Aves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aves research.

Aves Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Avis, Avison, Aviss and others.

Early Notables of the Aves family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Charles Avison (1709-1770) English, Baroque composer. When a young man he visited Italy for the purpose of study, and after his return to England, became a pupil of Geminiani. On July 12, 1736, he was appointed organist of the church of St. Nicholas, in his native town. In addition to his musical attainments, he was a scholar.

 Aves migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Aves or a variant listed above: 

Aves Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• George A. Aves, originally from Soton, (Southampton, England) arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship “Adriatic” from Soton [3]
• M. Aves, aged 36, arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship “Susquehanna” from Danzig and Bremerhaven [4]
• Marie Louise Aves, aged 38, originally from Firmie, France, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship “La Lorraine” from Le Havre, France [5]
• Fernando Aves, aged 24, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship “Monmouth” from Liverpool, England [6]

Contemporary Notables of the name Aves (post 1700) +

• Isabel Annie Aves (1887-1938), née Michaelsen, a New Zealand abortionist
• Aves I. Vanderbilt, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Dutchess County, 1847 [7]