The Elversons and Related Families

The name Elverson is somewhat uncommon, and has rather an interesting history. Originally, and during Saxon times, and probably more than a thousand years ago, it was spelled Alwoldestun, literally signifying the ton, or house, on the wold (Wold is an Old English term for a forest or an area of woodland on high ground). Alwoldestun became softened to Aylwaston, and that again corrupted to Elvaston, Elverston, usually pronounced Eleverson. Because spelling was not standardized, and because parish clerks wrote names in accordance with the popular pronunciation, many permutations of the name were recorded. This has been the case with Elvaston-Elveston-Eleverston-Elverson.