Hi folks - Awhile back I wrote asking whether anyone had seen the name of Averill used simultaneously with Avery and I did receive a response back saying that no one had seen this. Well maybe we need to look a little farther back. I submit the following as general interest to the group: Most of the following Averill information is taken from "The Ancestry of Dudley Wildes 1759-1820, of Topsfield, MA. Author: Davis, Walter Goodwin, 1885-1966. Published: Portland, ME, Anthoesen Press, 1959. 193 pages. "Averill sounds like a place name, not unlike Haverhill, lacking the aspirate. there is no English parish so called, but possibly some smaller piece of land or geographic point, such as a hill, bore the name. Avery, the alternative name in the early generations is equally obscure. "Ave," like 'avon' is a river name; 'haver' means oats. Haverhill being a hill where oats were grown, while 'ever' was Old English for boar. None of these possibilities are very satisfactory, and the origin of the name remains a puzzle." And the following is taken from the will of John Averill who died in 1577 - He directed that he be buried in the church of Chipping Norton, to which he left 10s. To the poor of the town, 20s. To my son William Averye. To John Trevis, a feather bed, etc. To Mathew Trevis, 13s4d. To Willaim Trevis, Mathew Trevis' son, 12d and all his children 12d apiece. To every one of John Trevis's children 12d. apiece. To William Trevis, 11s 12d. To Phillip Avery, Richard Averye and Edward Every, my borther William's sons, 20s. apeice. To Katherin Newmann, 20s. To my brother William Averie, 6s. To my sister Annes Crosley, 40s. To Katherine Trevace. Residue to my son George Averye, executor. Overseers: Michael Chadwell, Edward Walford, William Avery, Thomas Newmann, William Trevis. Witnesses: Michael Chadwell, Edward Walford, Thomas Newmann. **Archdeaconry of Oxford, Series I, Vol. 8, p 514 Note all the various spellings of the same family's names and all in one document. This happens again in other family documents prior to William Averill coming to New England abt. 1635. Anyway, I found the name-game quite fascinating- anyone have anything to add? Jen Herron andyhe@msn.com