Aveley Family History

Perhaps a variant of Averley or vice versa. Compare Martha Averley 1787, Martha Aveley 1788, and William Aveley 1833 in IGI (Soham, Cambs). From Aveley (Essex), a few miles east of the old City of London. The place-name is recorded as Aluithelea in 1086, Alviueleia in 1157, Alvyleye in 1272–1307, and Alveley, Aveley in 1535.

It derives from the Old English female personal name Ælfgȳð + Old English lēah, meaning ‘open woodland’. Perhaps an occasional pronunciation of Avery with [l] for [r] or vice versa. Compare John Averey 1621 in IGI (Saint Bride Fleet Street, London).

Perhaps from Avely Hall in Assington (Suffolk), a few miles south-east of Sudbury, although the surname evidence is slight and may belong with (1) or (2) or have a different but unknown origin. The place-name is recorded as Aluenelega in 1086, Alwyneleye in 1298, Alvyngley alias Alweley in 1518–29, and Alveley alias Alvingley in 1569.

It derives from the Old English female personal name Ælfwynn + Old English lēah, meaning ‘open woodland’. It is not certain that the 1340 example below belongs here.