Chiverton

This interesting name is a dialectual variant of a locational name, most probably Chivelstone, recorded as Chevelestune circa 1135 Tafnes Devon, but possibly Chevington, in Suffolk both these place names have their origins in the Olde English pre 7th Century word "ceofelest" "Ceofele" being a personal name and "tun" a farm. During the Middle Ages, when migration from the country to the towns became more common place name were often adopted as a means of identification. One Mary Cheverton married Charles Turner in 1731 in Elmseff, in Suffolk. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph de Cheverston, which was dated 1275, in the "Hundred Rolls", Devon, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.