The surname Evans means son of Evan the latter being a Welsh form dating from about 1500 of the personal name John. Once everyone was known by a single name but this led to confusion and so an extra name was adopted. Thus, a man named William whose father was Evan might be know as William Evans ( i.e. Evan's son), the additional name eventually becoming hereditory as a surname. Early records mention John Evens who appears in Sufolk Subsidy Rolls in 1568; James Hevens, in Suffolk Health Tax Return in 1674; and John Evans in the Register of the Freemen of York in 1679. John Evans died 1724 became Bishop of Bangor in 1702 and of Meath in 1716. Evan Evans (1731-1789) was a Welsh poet and antiquary. Sir George Evans (1787-1870) followed a military career. He took part in the battle of Waterloo and rendered services to the Spanish government. He later served in the Crimean War. Among early emigrants from England to America were Lawrence Evans who arrived in Virginia in 1622 and John and Clement Evans recorded in that colony in 1623. Lewis Evans 1700-1756 was an American surveyor and geographer; Oliver Evans 1755-1811 was an engineer and Nathan Evans born 1829 a Confederate General. (All this information taken from a history of the Evans Surname).