This interesting surname is a variant of Rivett, which is of early medieval English origin, and is from a metonymic occupational name for a metalworker. The name is derived from the Middle English (1200-1500), Old French 'rivet', small nail or bolt, from the Old French 'river', to fix, secure, of unknown origin. The name development since 1313 (see below) includes the following: John Ryuet (1327, Suffolk) and John Reveter (1381, Yorkshire). The modern surname can be found as Rivett, Revett, Rivitt and Revitt, and is very common in East Anglia. Among the sample recordings in Suffolk are the marriages of Richard Revitt and Anne Faunsit on April 22nd 1588 at Hadleigh, and of William Revitt and Judith Cunnold on May 28th 1672 at Cotton. The christening was recorded at Stowmarket, Suffolk, of John, son of Edmond and Anne Revitt, on December 2nd 1673. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard le reveter, which was dated 1313, in the Register of the Freemen of the City of York, during the reign of King Edward 11, known as 'Edward of Caernafon', 1307-1327. 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.