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From: Renia Simmonds <>
Subject: Re: Origin of Delve(s) name, family in Devon
Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 02:41:04 +0100


There were 398 persons called Delve in the 1881 census of England, Scotland and
Wales, and 247 of them were born in Devon (only 1 of them was born in Ilfracombe).
The rest were mostly born in the west of England, or in Wales.

There were 544 persons called Delves, from all over the country, which suggests
that the two surnames had different origins. Only 6 of the Delves were born in
Devon. 130 were born in Sussex. 61 in Shropshire. 57 in Kent. 51 in Yorkshire. The
rest were born in various other counties.

Of the 199 persons called Delve who living in Devon in 1881, only 1 was born in
Ilfracombe. 29 were born in Morchard Bishop (near Crediton, miles from Ilfracombe).
16 were born in Barnstaple, about 15 miles south of Ilfracombe. At a glance, most
of them seemed to be in South Devon, though a few were scattered in the North Devon
villages.

Hope this helps,

Renia

Flightyldy wrote:

> There is a family tradition that this was originally a french name. The family
> believe that they have been aroundthe Ilfracombe area for at least the past 400
> years - any ideas?

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