SurnameDB – The Internet Surname Database

Underlined words are explained in our glossary.

This ancient English surname, recorded in many forms, is a development of the pre- 'Vivianus', itself of Roman () origins. Introduced into England by the after the 1066 Invasion, Vivianus formed the basis for a surprisingly wide variety of modern surnames which include: Vivian, Videan, Vidgen, Vidgeon, Vyvyan, Fiddian, Fidgeon, Phython, Python, and Phythian. The original meaning was alive or living, perhaps a commentary on the birth survival rate of the early times. St. Vivianus was the bishop of Saintes, in France in the 5th century, but the name did not achieve popularity until much later. Early recordings taken from surviving rolls and of the Middle Ages include: Johannes Viuian in the of Kent in 1175, John Vivyan in the of Hampshire in 1275, and William Phythien, who appears in the of Ramsey , Cambridgeshire in the year 1250. John Fivian is noted in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, whilst John Vyvyan is recorded in the Sussex County of 1296.

List Ancestral records for:- Python

Later church recordings include Thomas Vivian of St Columb Major, Cornwall, a in 1544, whilst Henry Vivian of Merionethshire, Wales, was a student at Oxford University in 1586. Other examples showing different spellings include Mary Phythian, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Phythian, who was christened at St. Andrews church, Holborn, London, and Peter Phythyan who married Jane Green on February 3rd 1696, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster. The granted in Bodmin, Cornwall, in 1507, has the of a , a between three lions heads in purple, a chief in . The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Vivien. This was dated 1235, in the Cartulary of Stone Abbey, Staffordshire, during the reign of King Henry 111rd, 1216 - 1272. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop," often leading to astonishing of the original spelling.
Your A4 printed scroll

Surname scroll

Python Surname Scroll

Printed A4 parchment scroll · 8.3 × 11.7 in

Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. An ideal gift.

Buy 2 or more scrollsGet free shipping
  • Printed and dispatched within 5 working days
  • Royal Mail delivery to almost anywhere in the world
  • Research exclusive to The Internet Surname Database
See all photos and details →
The MyHeritage DNA testing kit

Partner offer

Python is one branch. Find the rest in your DNA.

MyHeritage DNA shows your origins across 2,114 regions and finds relatives through shared DNA.

Explore MyHeritage DNA (opens MyHeritage in a new tab)

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.

Historical records

Records about the Python family

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.