Last Name Help?

Question

My last name is Cavalier..........anyone know what nationlity I am ?

Answer 1

Hello, Mr. Cavalier,

What an interesting name...

This very interesting name is by no means common, the English Civil War of 1641-1660 being too late to increase the number of 'Cavalier' surnames. The name originates from the Latin 'Caballus' meaning 'a horse soldier', through the French 'Chevalier', the latter being a rank of minor nobility. In England the name was first recorded as 'Cavaler' and was probably a direct derivative of the Italian Cavallo. In the Civil War 'Cavalier' and 'Roundhead' were terms of abuse, although by clever promotion, the Royalists accepted it as a badge of gentility. The Coat of Arms is a silver horse on a red field. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Antony Cavaler which was dated 1554 London (Granted Coat of Arms) during the reign of King Edward VI 'The Boy King' 1548-1554 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.

This is the "surname history" hope it helps.

Answer 2

No clue. It's a generic European name. You'll have to do the research on your immigrant ancestor to find out where he came from in order to answer your question. I can find a variant of that name in almost any country in northern, southern, western or central Europe. None of the lookups on name sites will help you, either, because they can't pinpoint your ancestry with such a common name.

In the late Middle Ages, when names were being adopted, people used their occupations in many cases to register themselves. Cavalier was a name for a knight, a horseman, a member of the cavalry, even supporters of King Charles (something of a political party). Maybe you're English, Irish, French, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Swiss or Italian. Simply no way of knowing without the research.

Answer 3

The surname is French, Knight in English or Ritter in German. Like the French actor Maurice Cavalier. I have no idea what your nationality is. Your ancestry is possibly French, Cajun, Huguenot(early French Protestant settlers), or French-Canadian