THOMAS TREVERTON
Was he the first person to use the TREVERTON surname?

Thus far the earliest written account of the surname TREVERTON is taken from the International Genealogical Index (IGI), which has a baptismal record of Constance TREVERTON christened on 16 December 1571 in Redruth, Cornwall. Her father is identified as Thomas Treverton and I have estimated his date of birth to be circa 1550 or earlier. So far I have been unable to discover any further TREVERTON surname references prior to this timeframe. If anyone can provide documentation around or prior to this account, an e-mail would be greatly appreciated.

SURNAME ORIGIN

TREVERTON is an old and highly respected Cornish surname that has been traced through written documentation to the early part of the 16th century. There are several published references relating to the surname’s origin but thus far none have proved conclusive.

One historical research source identifies the Treverton family name as a variant of another Cornish surname, Trevarthen. It is stated that both names derive their origin from the place name where the original bearer lived, worked or held land. Thus it is stated that Treverton and Trevarthen originated from the place name “TREVARTHEN”. Therefore, the first bearer of the surname TREVERTON would have been identified by members of the community as "one who hailed from TREVARTHEN". This toponym (a name derived from a place-name) is an archaic variant of either "TREVARTHIAN", a place in St. Hilary and Newlyn East or, "TREVATHEN" in St. Kew (formerly TREVARTHEAN, 1237). The place name Trevarthian comes from the Cornish “tre-Arthien” meaning “Arthien’s homestead”. The place name Trevathen is taken from the Cornish “tre-(b)vuthyn” and means literally “homestead in a meadow”.

Handbook of Cornish Surnames’ by G. Pawley White:

Mr. White links TREVERTON with Trevarthen and Trevarton and writes: From trev-Arthien: Arthien's homestead. Place names Trevarthian, St Hilary and St Newlyn East; Trevathen, St Kew (earliest Trevarthean 1237).

The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames by Basil Cottle

Treverton - from a residence in the Cornish place, so named because it was a distant homestead. The element ‘Tre’ meaning homestead, and occurs as a first element in many Cornish place names that have become surnames.

PATRONYMICA CORNU-BRITANNICA; Or The Etymology of Cornish Surnames by Richard Stephen Charnock, PH, DR - 1870

TREVERTON, TREVARTON - From tre-var-dun, the dwelling on the hill; Treverton may also be from tre-veor-ton, the dwelling on the great hill.

From a Welsh specialist in Cornish Surnames (name unknown) TREVERTON means KING OF THE FORTIFIED FARM, and adds that it has nothing to do with the place name Trevarthen.

The Western Morning News - December 2, 1965
Origins of the Cornish ‘ TRE’ Surnames by Richard Blewett

TREVERTON- there is no place name and as the distribution of the surname is entirely different from that of Trevarthen and is dialectically corrupt from TREVARTON, it seems to have an entirely different origin from those surnames. The best guess is that the final ‘TON’ is an Anglo-Saxon ending to the Celtic name TREVERS. Anglo-Saxon ‘TON’, a suffix, is the nearest parallel to the Cornish Celtic ‘TRE’, a prefix for Farm, Homestead, and if the guess is right the literal meaning of TREVERTON is ‘Farm-Reeves-Farm’.

A CHALLENGING PROJECT

Original Parish Records and Cornwall census data from 1841 - 1901, indicates that the surname TREVERTON was often times recorded differently, even within the same family group. Treverton was sometimes spelled Trevarton and vice versa, as well as Triverton, Treuerton, Trevarten, Treveton, Traverton, and a dozen other such spellings that can only be uncovered through extensive research of successive census records. The correct enunciation and spelling depended on a number of factors - the literacy skills of the parish record keeper and/or census enumerator, his familiarity with parish residents, his recognition of the language and the variety of accents, and the literacy of the people from whom the information was being recorded. Who is to say exactly what spelling the first literate member of the family took with them?

The proven origins of the TREVERTON surname have yet to be established. For a Treverton living in England this would prove an interesting and challenging project. Such an individual would have access to a vast wealth of historical & genealogical data. It would require a well thought out set of guidelines and a dedication of time and resources but, if successful, he or she would undoubtedly immortalize themselves among Treverton clans worldwide. I can think of few less honourable ways for a person to leave their mark upon their ancestral history. If you are in a position to take on such a demanding project I would certainly volunteer my limited resources and time to aid in anyway possible. Think about it please.

HELP IS AVAILABLE

If the Treverton surname exists in your ancestral line than there is a very good chance that I can be of assistance in researching your personal family history. I have two separate and distinct computerized databases in which there is reference to over 5,500 individuals associated with the Treverton surname.

In my ‘Personal Family History’ database I have a record of 2,271 individuals, from 478 marriages, comprising 582 surnames and spanning 16 generations.

In my ‘Unidentified Treverton’ database (TREVERTON’s’ and family members having as yet been identified as part of my personal family history), I have a record of 2,792 individuals, from 811 marriages comprised of 636 surnames.

If you or a member of your family is a Treverton or has a Treverton connection, past or present, I would very much enjoy hearing from you. I am especially interested in PHOTOGRAPHS, stories, written references, historical documentation, memories/memorabilia, etc. The smallest piece of information could have a significant impact on someone else’s genealogy research. Please feel free to contact me at anytime.

My TREVERTON database is growing on a weekly basis and all inquiries are most welcome.

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©2006 Larry Treverton