This is one of the most interesting names and a genuine one from the Norman Conquest. First recorded in the 1086 Domesdasy Book, the original name holders fought with William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings and were rewarded with large land grants in Warwickshire and later in Norfolk. The name originates from Hauville (Eure) or Hauteville La Guichard (La Manche) in Normandy. The modern name spellings are: Havill, Havell, Hovell and Hovel, the name development including Ralph de Hauvill c. 1155 Norfolk, Henry de Hautvill (1242 Berkshire), and Alice Havell (1464 Warwickshire). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph de Halvile. which was dated 1086 The Domesday Book, Warwick. during the reign of King William I 'The Conqueror' 1066-1087. 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.

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