Etymology and History Aveline is an English given name derived from the Norman French form of the Old Germanic name Avelina, a diminutive of Avila. The root Avila itself comes from the Old German element awi, of uncertain meaning. The Normans introduced Aveline to Britain after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and it was used during the Middle Ages. After that period, it became very rare as an English first name, though it persisted in America into the 19th century. As a surname, Aveline has left a more lasting mark. It originated as a patronymic from the given name Aveline, and in turn gave rise to the popular English given name and surname Evelyn. In modern French, aveline also means "a kind of big hazelnut." Notable Bearers Two medieval English noblewomen bore the name: Aveline Fitz Peter, Countess of Essex (c. 1178–1225) and Aveline de Forz, Countess of Aumale (1259–1274). The latter, also known as Aveline of Lancaster, was briefly one of the wealthiest heiresses in England. As a surname, notable French bearers include: Claude Aveline (1901–1992), a French writer and poet; Jean-Marc Aveline (born 1958), the Archbishop of Marseille; Joseph Aveline (1881–1958), a French parliamentarian and horse-breeder; and the engravers Pierre, Antoine, and Pierre-Alexandre Aveline from a 17th–18th-century family. British geologist William Talbot Aveline (1822–1903) also carried the surname. The name is further known to modern pop culture through Aveline de Grandpré, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. Variants and Related Names Variant forms of Aveline include Avalynn, Eileen, Evelina, and Avaline. Its cousins in other languages include Swedish Evelina, Slovak Evelína, Dutch Evelien, French Eveline, Hungarian Evelin, and Finnish Eveliina. The surname descendant Evelyn (English) is also closely connected. These names share the common root Avila and the soft, melodic quality often favored in medieval and modern name choices. Meaning: Diminutive of Ava; possibly related to African boar or a Germanic element. Origin: Germanic via Norman French Type: Female given name Usage regions: Chiefly English (historical), also found as a surname in France and the UK