The Ivess Family History

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This rare and interesting surname is reputed to be a patronymic of Ivor, which is of old Norse origin, from the personal name "Ivarr" of uncertain etymology, but thought to be derived from the elements "Iw", yew, bow, (a weapon usually made from the supple wood of the yew tree), and "herr", army. The given name was adopted at an early date by the Irish, Scots and Welsh, and much later and more rarely by the English. Many bearers of the modern surname are therefore of Celtic ancestry. However, I tend to the belief after extensive research that the name is totally local in origin derived from the old Celtic name for the town of Ballysteen, " IVERUS." The spelling IVISS is found together with IVESS as far back as early 1600s but always in the local area in Limerick County. This would therefore place the recorded origins listed below as suspect in authenticity.

• The personal name was first recorded as "Iuuar" in the Doomsday Book for Shropshire in 1086, and one  "Iware diaconus" was recorded in the Records of St. Benet of Holme, Norfolk (1140--1153).
  
• The modern surname can be found recorded as Ivor and Iver, and the patronymics include Ivers, Ivess, Iverson, MacIver  and Mac Ivor.
  
• Recorded in London Church Registers are the    marriages of Ambrose Ivers & Anne Barlowe on June 15th 1578 at St Matthews, Friday Street.