Bardley's "Dictionary of Welsh and English Surnames" says —"The English family name, Pavey, in the United States Peavey or Pevey, is derived from the Christian name Pavia - widow of Robert de Grimsdale in the old records of estates and families in the County of Cumberland" (of course the "Pavia" is correct, but refers originally to the city of Pavia). Bardsley also quotes "In the twelfth year of King Henry III (1227) Radulph, the son of William de Bouchardby entered to the Signary; his sisters Alice Pavy and Agnes were his heirs. Richard Pavye of London is on the register of the University of Oxford in 1604."

I have noticed in Dorsetshire records a few names spelled Pavie and Pavy about 1600. The Pavy name also appears in Hampshire records, and more rarely in Devonshire and Somersetshire, as far as 1 have observed.

I am sure, however, that the name Pavey and Peavey appears in England in the later dates, although I have not yet found any close connection between Dorset and Peavey. I noticed and instance of an Isaac Pevey in St. Benet's Parish, Middlesex, London, who was married in 1743. In 1782 James Peavey married Mary Morriss (Register of St. Peter and Paul's - Bath). In 1805 Samuel Peve married Mary Richeson (Register of St. Mary Le Bone's - Middlesex). In 1725 Jane Pevey of St. James - Westminster, Middlesex South, married John Gregory