This is a Dutch name which was originally recorded as (pre 1680) 'Van Teffelen' and as such was recorded heraldically in the Provinces of Brabant and Harlem in the Netherlands. There were two Coats of Arms, the original recording being a green fesse (horizontal bar) on a white field, implying peace with hope. The Dutch name is a variant of the French 'De Ville' - a phrase which implies a town dweller, but originally meant a settlement under God's protection 'dei-villa' pre 10th century. The name recording in England includes: Joseph Tevelin (1812) and Charlotte Tevlin (1815), both of St. Leonards, Shoreditch, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Olive Tevelain (baptised). which was dated 1734 St. Giles, Cripplegate during the reign of King George II 'The Last Warrior' 1727-1760 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.