Origin of the surname Sylvester

This interesting and unusual name has its origins in a Latin given name, "Silvester", a derivative of the word "silva", meaning wood, and denoting "the dweller in the wood". The personal name was borne by three Popes, including a contemporary of Constantine the Great, and seems to have been first used in England by clerics. The personal name was first recorded in Leicestershire in 1154 as "Silvester", and in 1204, in Yorkshire, as "Selvester", and the surname first appeared afterwards as "Silvestr" (see below).

The surname development includes: William Silvester (1250, Lancashire), and William Sevester (1455, Kent). The modern surname has a number of variants, ranging from Silvester, Selvester and Sylvester, to Siviter and Seveter. One Abram Silvester, aged 14 yrs., was an early emigrant to the New World, leaving London in January 1634, bound for Virginia. A Coat of Arms granted to the Silvester family is a silver shield, with an oak tree eradicated green, and two red crescents in chief, the Crest being a lion's head erased green. In Heraldry, the oak tree signifies Antiquity and Strength, and the crescent is associated with Faith and Hope. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Silvestr, which was dated 1212, in the "Book of Fees for Hampshire", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.

The surname Sylvester. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of sylvester is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of sylvester leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname sylvester, and in addition to the original locations of sylvester, we can find out where people with the surname sylvester can currently be found.

The surname Sylvester around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname sylvester. There is a considerable probability that sylvester has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where sylvester is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname sylvester has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Sylvester

The historical chronicle of sylvester is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named sylvester are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname sylvester are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname sylvester, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of sylvester could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname sylvester or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of sylvester.

Notable Figures Named Sylvester

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished sylvesters throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname sylvester, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like sylvester can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname sylvester who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Sylvester and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of sylvester. The bibliography collects information related to the surname sylvester, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname sylvester, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of sylvester, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Sylvester