Ives Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Ives Origin:
England

Origins of Ives:
This unusual and interesting surname acquires from the Norman particular name “Ivo”, a short form of any of the several Germanic compound names with a first component “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 Invasion, and enjoyed great popularity, reinforced by such holders of the name as St. Ivo, Priest of Chartres, and a 13th Century Breton, St. Ivo, who became the patron saint of lawyers. St. Ives in Cambridgeshire acquires its name from the church dedicated to a legendary Persian priest, said to have lived there as a solitary. St. Ives, in Cornwall, however, named for 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, and early records include John Ives (1327) in the Premium Rolls of Sussex.

Variations:
More common variations are: Ivess, Aives, Eives, Ivies, Ivesa, iveys, Oives, Ivees, Iveos, Ivesi.

England:
The surname Ives first appeared in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat from very early times. The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Roger Yuo, dated about 1175, in the “Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire.”  It was during the time of King Henry II who was known to be the “The Builder of Churches,” dated 1154 – 1189.  The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.  It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.  Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Ireland:
Many of the people with surname Ives had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:
Individuals with the surname Ives landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in 17th, 18th, and 19th.    Some of the people with the name Ives who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Miles Ives settled in Boston in 1630.  William Ives, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635.  William Ives settled in Boston in 1637. People with the surname Ives who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Geo Ives, who arrived in Virginia in 1719.  William Ives settled in Maryland in 1729.  Ives Settlers in United States in the 19th Century.  Butler Ives, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851.  Peter T Ives, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1853.  John Ives, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1860. The following century saw much more Ives surnames arrive.  Some of the people with the surname Ives who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Benjamin Ives, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749.  Gregory Ives, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752.

Canada:
People with the surname Ives settled in Canada in two different centuries respectively in 18th and 19th    Some of the individuals with the surname Ives who came to Canada in the 18th century included Benjamin Ives, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749.  Gregory Ives, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752. The following century saw much more Ives surnames arrive.  People with the surname Ives who settled in Canada in the 19th century included Nathaniel I Ives, who landed in Canada in 1833.  Cicero M Ives, who arrived in Canada in 1833.

Australia:
Some of the individuals with the surname Ives who landed in Australia in the 19th century included John Ives, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the “Asia” on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia.

New-Zealand:
Some of the population with the surname Ives who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included William Ives, aged 32, a shoemaker, arrived in Nelson aboard the ship “Sir Charles Forbes” in 1842.  Elizabeth Ives, aged 30, arrived in Nelson aboard the ship “Sir Charles Forbes” in 1842.  Caroline Ives, aged 9, arrived in Nelson aboard the ship “Sir Charles Forbes” in 1842.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Ives:
United States 10,517; England 5,560; Australia 1,523; South Africa 1,151; Canada 1,124; Ivory Coast 1,023; Brazil 922; Germany 370; Philippines 322; Mexico 314

Notable People:
Burl Ives (1909–1995), was an American singer, author, and actor.
Charles Ives (1874–1954), was an American modernist composer, one of the first American composers of international renown.
Charles Ives (footballer) (1907–1942), was a football player from New Zealand.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (co. Northampton). Sa. on a fesse betw. three goats pass. ar. attired, hearded, and unguled or, as many crescents gu. Crest—Out of a ducal coronet gu. an Indian goat’s head ar. guttée de sang, attired or.
2) (Bradwell, co. Norfolk). Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three blackamoors’ heads couped ppr. Crest—A boar pass. ppr. collared and chained or.
3) Ar. three torteaux betw. two bendlets.