What's in a Name ?
SAVILLE
This is a copy of an article published in
The Peak Advertiser, the Peak District's local free newspaper, on 26th July 2004,
reproduced by kind permission of its author, Desmond Holden.
The "What's in a Name" series is a regular feature in the Advertiser.
Articles are confined to the origins and meanings of surnames and Desmond regrets
he is unable to undertake research into the genealogy, descent or family history of individuals.
Editor's Note: Articles are provided for general interest and background only. They are
not intended to provide an exhaustive treatise for any individual family history - investigations
of which may yield quite different results.
WHAT'S IN A NAME …
Are you called SAVILLE?
Variations: Savil, Savile, Seville etc.
The number of variations in the spelling of this surname is considerable but with one
exception, none is significant. That exception is "Saffell" which is of
Scandinavial origin. It represents the word "Saefugul" which can be
transliterated as "sea fowl" and refers to the cormorant. It is listed in the local
directory and historical records show a concentration in the eastern counties, particularly
Essex and Suffolk. This is consistent with the fact that the eastern areas of the country
were settled with Scandinavian invaders. As a personal name it was found even before
Domesday (1086) and appears as a surname as early as 1182 (Willelmus Filius Safugel
of Bury St. Edmunds). Probably the influence of the surname "Saville" brought
about the modification of the spelling.
The form "Saville" has taken forefront, but historically it seems that "
Savile" is to be favoured. No doubt familiarity with the French word "ville"
and possibly that of the Spanish city of "Seville" fostered the revised spelling.
Certainly the adoption of "Saville" is reflected in the fact that there are some
20 listings in the local directory. The correct form is preserved in the neighbourhood name
"Saviletown" in Dewsbury (West Riding) inaugurated in 1863 and taking its
name from the old established county family named "Savile". Speaking
broadly, the "Savile" version has strong associations within the West Riding
whereas "Saville" prevails in Lancashire.
The name originated in France and several sites are suggested. Early forms in the
Norman-French are not easily verified but if it were "Sauville" that indicates a
location (now indeterminate) either in Ardennes or Vosges. Another site has the
advantage of still being identified under the name "Sainville". It is in the
Province of Eure et Loire (formerly part of Normandy) and about 40 miles south-west of
Paris and 18 miles east of Chartres. The prefix "Sa-" in these place names
points somewhat tentatively to the word "saisne" which is of Germanic origin
and is related to another word presumed to be "sachsen" - also Germanic and
understood to mean "Dagger". Germanic terms were not alien to the Normans
who originated amongst Germanic people - ("Normandy" signifies "the
land occupied by the north men"). The other unit, "Ville" means "a
settlement". It appears in countless place names and requires no comment.
Contrary to a popular notion not all the followers of William I were puissant Lords hoping
the Conqueror would bestow upon them extensive estates. Many of their warriors came
from more humble walks of life and were hoping for a small property from which they might
make a living. The earliest mention of the name of such a settler occurs in 1246 and refers
to a John de Sayvill. It is a Land Transfer document for property in the County of York
(West Riding?). A similar transaction dated 1277 mentions a Stephen de Savile. Whether
they were related (as seems possible is a matter for genealogists to investigate.
The Savilles certainly prospered and became considerably wealthy and owned large
estates. Titles proliferated: Lordships of Halifax, Pontefract, Mexborough and Scarborough
fell to them as well as Rufford in Nottingham.
Being such extensive landowners they would have employed countless servants in their
households as well as numerous officials and workers to manage their estates. Many
such servants and workers adopted their employers' names as a form of identity.
In the National Biographies the name "Savile" stands high and there are about
a dozen personalities listed. Mention may be made of Sir Henry Savile (1549-1622) who
was a distinguished scholar and one of the Commissioners appointed in the translation of
the Bible by James I. He worked on "Acts" and "Revelation".
Curiously enough, that great focus of men's tailoring, "Savile Row" takes its
name from a lady - Dorothy Savile.
© Desmond Holden
From "The Peak Advertiser", 26th July 2004.
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[Created 27 Jul 2004. Last updated 24 Oct 2008 - 11:27 by Rosemary Lockie]
