Cheverell

Recorded in many forms including Cheverall, Cheverell, Cheverill, Chiverall, Chivrell, Chivrall, and probably others, this is an English surname. It is however of French origins and was introduced into the British Isles after the famous Conquest of 1066. It has at least three possible origins although all probably derive from the word 'chevrele'. This could mean either 'kid' in the sense of a nickname of endearment for a child or young person, or it may be occupational and describe a leather merchant, one who specialised in kid leather and goatskin. There is a third alternative which is that it could be locational from two villages called Great and Little Cheverell in the county of Wiltshire. The explanation for these names according to the Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names is from the early French word 'chevreuil' meaning roebuck, but they may equally be from 'chevrele'. The early examples of the surname recording include William Chevuerel of Berkshire in the Pipe Rolls of 1195, Simon de Chiverell of Wiltshire in the Curia Regis rolls of the year 1210, and Ralph le Chevrelmonger in the Letter Books of London in 1310.